Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Smith Pancheri as its new vice president of sales and marketing, effective Dec. 1, 2015. Pancheri returns to MWF having previously served as director of corporate sales from 2000 to 2007. In her new position, she will manage and direct all sales, marketing, external/internal communications and public relations functions for MWF and the Summerfest Foundation, Inc. 

"We enthusiastically welcome Sarah back to the Summerfest family," said Don Smiley, president and chief executive officer of MWF. "She was a valuable member of our team in the past, and we believe her recent experience will enable her to successfully lead our sales and marketing efforts as we approach the 50th anniversary of Summerfest in 2017, and for many years thereafter. Sarah is a passionate, well-rounded executive, and I am personally thrilled that she is joining our team."    

Most recently, Pancheri was vice president of development & communications for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. She previously served as managing director, regional development (Milwaukee & Corporate Foundation relations) for Marquette University.  

Pancheri earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with distinction. She currently serves on a number of boards including Red Cross of South Eastern Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Fair Foundation, BoardStar and Impact 100 Greater Milwaukee.