A Night Honoring
the NICU

Sara's Smile is more than a campaign—it's a heartfelt tribute to Sara, Katelyn's best friend since birth. On May 23, 2020, Sara passed away at just 30 after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of strength, kindness, and light. In the midst of grief, Sara's spirit became a guiding force, inspiring the creation of The Admin Effect. Rooted in their shared vision, Katelyn set out to build happier, healthier workplaces for operational professionals in the financial services industry.

Today, the Sara's Smile Campaign continues to honor Sara's life by transforming her enduring impact into meaningful change. Each year, our team helps carry her spirit forward by nominating causes that have personally touched them or someone they love. Together, we select one cause to champion—raising awareness, supporting education, and spreading Sara's smile in a way that continues to make a difference.

This year, we are honored to support a cause deeply personal to our team. Our COO, Erin Douglas, recently experienced the heartbreaking loss of her grandson, Elijah Grey Hicks, who passed away at just 1 month and 9 days old after spending his life in the NICU. Elijah was a miracle from the very beginning—a testament to strength, resilience, and unwavering love.

In Elijah's honor, we are raising funds to support the NICU that cared for him, helping provide critical resources and support to other families walking a similar path. Through this effort, we hope to celebrate Elijah's life, uplift his family, and extend Sara's spirit of compassion to those who need it most.