Sara Roberts McCarley
Commissioner (2019-2025) | District: C Southwest
Sara Roberts McCarley was born in Lakeland, raised in Davenport and graduated from Florida Southern College. In her career, Sara is dedicated to making a difference. Through her work with Best Buddies International, she developed a program that was implemented in high schools nationwide to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through friendship and employment. Most recently her role as Executive Director at Polk Vision heightened her commitment locally while building public-private partnerships to serve the community.
Sara is dedicated to helping her community. She’s an active volunteer in and around Lakeland. Her current community involvement includes work with with the Harrison School for the Arts Philanthropy Committee and Parent Association, the Lakeland High School Parent Teacher Partnership, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy PTO, First United Methodist Church Nominations Committee and Alter Guild, the Lakeland Area Cotillion Council, Leadership Lakeland Class XXXVI - Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and the Leadership Polk Alumni Association.
Sara is also dedicated to cultivating leaders. After her first husband, Randy, passed away suddenly in 2009, Sara converted her grief into action. She created the Randy Roberts Foundation in his legacy. Through this organization, she empowers young students to participate in government on the local, state and national level.
Sara Roberts McCarley was sworn in on January 22nd, 2019 and is Commissioner for Lakeland's SW District.