Sara Straka

Born and raised in Whitefish, Sara graduated from Whitefish High School in 2003. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Notre Dame in 2007 and received a graduate certificate in Public Health in 2010 from the University of Montana. After moving back to the mountains post-college, she spent many years at the helm of local restaurants, and currently still moonlights occasionally at the Last Chair Kitchen & Bar in Whitefish. In 2017, she transitioned to the financial services industry and now serves clients as a Registered Branch Associate at Edward Jones. The 2020-21 Whitefish Winter Carnival Duchess of Lark, she finds that volunteering and serving as an ambassador to Whitefish come as second nature. Sara joined the NCF Board of Directors in 2016 and held the position of Board Chair from 2022-2025. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Winter Carnival as the Gala Chair. 

Sara likes spending her free time with her husband Jason and their dog Cannon - they seek refuge in mountains camping and rafting in the summer and skiing in the winter. She also enjoys watching football in the fall cheering on the Irish, as well as sharing her knowledge and passion for wine with others – she holds a Certified Specialist of Wine designation as well as Sommelier certification.