Meet a staffer: PR director keeps FFRF in public eye
Name: Sara Tetzloff
Where and when I was born: Central Wisconsin in the early ’80s. I grew up on a farm in the bluffs, which was always full of adventure. . . and very little parental supervision.
Education: B.A. from UW-Madison, MBA from UW-Whitewater.
Family: My given family is shrinking, sadly, but my chosen family is growing! I have two kids I’m trying to shape into good humans, and a couple of pups with significantly lower expectations.
How I came to work at FFRF: I was perusing LinkedIn, as one does, and saw this really cool career opportunity, but the organization wasn’t listed. When I had my screener interview, I was ecstatic to learn it was for FFRF! A few interviews later, I was thrilled to be offered the position.
What I do here: My title is marketing & PR director, but sometimes I feel like a professional plate spinner. If you see an FFRF billboard, podcast ad, social post, campaign, media story or logo out in the wild, there’s a decent chance I’ve had my fingerprints on it. I’ve also helped the organization tackle strategic planning so we can continue our important work for years to come!
What I like best about it: I feel like I’m making an impact on issues I care deeply about. This job requires a lot of creative problem-solving, which I enjoy. I also really like managing a team of young professionals. I want people who work for me to leave better equipped for whatever they want to do next — even if “next” eventually takes them somewhere else.
What gets old about it: Vendor solicitations, because I’m terrible at saying no. Threats, for obvious reasons. Also, moderating comments from people on the wrong side of history.
I spend a lot of time thinking about: How FFRF can serve as many freethinkers as possible, not just through our legal work but through education and building community. I think a lot about whether I’m leaving the organizations, communities and people I care about stronger than I found them.
I spend little if any time thinking about: The Roman Empire . . . Oh, is that not what you meant? I also don’t spend much time accepting “we’ve always done it this way” as an argument.
My religious upbringing was: Catholic. (I attended CCD classes and was confirmed.)
My doubts about religion started: Early on! Maybe as early as elementary school. I found the stories entertaining, but they always seemed like fiction to me. I never had a deep-seated fear or guilt of burning in hell. There wasn’t really a crisis of faith because I’m not sure I ever had much faith to lose.
Things I like: Music of all kinds! I’m heavily involved in my community theater, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes. My next show is “Sister Act,” which makes me feel a little rebellious! Apparently leaving Catholicism only to eventually work for FFRF and then voluntarily spend my evenings dressed as a nun is the character arc I was meant to have.
I love to give back to the community — I help every year with my local Pride Fest event and Joey’s Song, a benefit concert for epilepsy research. I also like all the “granny hobbies” (e.g., crocheting, sewing, gardening, canning, baking, etc.). I enjoy dance, reading, movies and watching my favorite “marshmallow” TV series on repeat.
My favorite snacks are popcorn, chips & salsa and sparkling water, and I love a cold, crisp Diet Coke.
Things I smite: Cruelty masquerading as conviction, willful ignorance, bigotry — you know, the usual. And lotus seed pods. (I’m a trypophobe to the max)
In my golden years: I’ll do whatever I feel like doing, damn it. . . ideally with a passport, good friends, my family nearby and absolutely no one asking me to join a Zoom meeting.
