Sandy is the Executive Director of YMCA National Safe Place. She has been involved with Project Safe Place since 1985 and was instrumental in expanding the project from a local program to a national initiative. The National Safe Place effort provides youth shelters across the country with an opportunity to partner with businesses and other community organizations that provide access points to immediate help and safety for any youth at risk. Sandy's professional career has been devoted to young people. It began during college with an internship with the Indiana Welfare Department, assessing prospective adoptive and foster families. Sandy was involved in creating a task force in Louisville, KY to address issues related to court ordered school busing in 1975. Her career lead her to Jefferson County Public Schools where she worked with Youth Development, an alternative school program providing guidance and support to students and was responsible for the Independent Study program. She has served on numerous boards and committees including the Southeastern Network of Youth and Family Services, National Council on Youth Policy, Villages of Indiana and the Louisville Community Youth Task Force. Sandy has had many opportunities to advocate for.