New editor serious about work, play

The new editorial director in the Marketing and Communication department at Mennonite Mission Network may become as recognized by the sound of her voice, as by the words she helps to put in print.

“I tend to giggle at everything,” said Sara Alvarez when asked about one of her personal qualities. But the giggling doesn’t belie her approach to work, but rather reflects her attitude toward life.

“I try to be pretty positive and I like to have fun,” she said.

In August, Alvarez joined the team to oversee all written content for Mission Network’s public communication, such as news and Beyond Ourselves magazine. Alvarez, a recent graduate of Goshen College, was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Record.  She most recently volunteered with the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE), where she was a communications assistant for a public radio station. Before that, Alvarez interned as a general assignment reporter for the Elkhart Truth. She has also done freelance writing for The Mennonite.

Aside from creating with words, Alvarez enjoys jewelry-making, especially rings.

“I recently took a metal-smith class. You get the raw pieces of silver and cut them into shape and hammer them,” she said smiling – of course – as she demonstrated the technique with her fingers.

Along with her passion for fun and people, Alvarez aims to bring a fresh perspective fueled by her belief that it is important to remain open-minded too.

“I feel like everywhere you go and meet new people and encounter new things that it reminds you that there are so many other ways to encounter things and live life,” Alvarez said. “You shouldn’t be set in your ways; otherwise you need to rattle things up a bit.”