Sarah Smith Banks

Sarah Smith Banks is a global internal communications leader known for building and scaling high-impact functions during moments of change. As VP of Global Internal Communications at Yahoo, she led a multi-year transformation that rebuilt the company’s internal communications program following its spinout from Verizon, establishing a modern, best-in-class operation. She also spearheaded award-winning AI initiatives in internal communications, advancing practical applications that improved clarity, speed, and effectiveness across the employee experience. Her experience spans Nike, Indeed, and The Walt Disney Company, where she partnered closely with senior leaders on change management, crisis response, and large-scale organizational transformation.

Sarah believes clear, human-centered communication drives alignment, trust, and performance. Her work focuses on elevating internal communications as a core business function and advancing responsible, results-driven AI adoption that helps organizations navigate complexity, move faster, and deliver results.