Who's Who: Sarah Summers

Director of professional selection and campus relations for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network -- The Hahs Financial Group

WHERE SHE'S BEEN: Twenty-six-year-old Summers is originally from Bernie, Mo., but now lives in downtown Cape Girardeau. Before joining Northwestern Mutual, Summers was a real estate broker for almost six years with Realty Executives of Cape County.

WHERE SHE'S GOING: "I hope to still live in the Cape Girardeau area, but also travel much more. My 'bucket list' should have several things checked off. I have very clear goals, and expect to hit all of them!" On her work in the community, Sarah says, "I just want to help in any way that I can, however, I have a strong conviction to help the American Cancer Society because cancer has touched my life in so many ways. I believe that my passion for a cure will live on much longer than I do. I also hope to help make people aware of the great community we live in. The Cape Girardeau area has awesome opportunity!" Sarah also foresees growth in the finance industry: "I love what I do and the people I have the honor of doing it with. I am always telling others about this amazing opportunity of being a financial representative with NMFN, so maybe one day I will recruit my replacement and dig deeper into our purpose of bringing financial security.

WHY SHE WAS CHOSEN: "She is a quality young person with great poise and potential," wrote Bill Cole.

"She not only is helping the job market in Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas, but she's also actively involved in the community," wrote Kim Adams. "Sarah has a great personality and is very good at what she does."

"She knows the area and promotes it to everyone here, St. Louis, Perryville, surrounding counties and in Illinois, too," wrote Mary Jane Craft. "Sarah is a hardworking woman who gives 500 percent to everything she does. She will be a force in Cape Girardeau County!"

"Whatever project she lends her energy to has a high probability for success, thanks to her energy level and personality," wrote Kevin Priester. "Sarah is someone you want to be around, but if you're around her much you can bet you'll be involved in something to make the world a better place."

"She loves people when working with them or just wanting to help them," wrote Victoria Goodin. "She lives and works by the Golden Rule ... Once Miss Summers puts her mind to something she does not give up. She is an achiever!"

Sarah's community involvement: American Cancer Society – cancer gala board, PR chair and online chair; Multiple Sclerosis Society Corporate Achiever; Cape Girardeau Jaycees member; Jackson Jaycees, past vice president; Junior Achievement classroom volunteer; Jackson Chamber of Commerce member; Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce member; Chamber Young Professionals chairman, Chamber Ambassadors Committee and Beautification Committee.