Directors
Sarah Knudsen, Education Director
Sarah learned to sail at the age of 10 on a San Juan 21 in Klamath Falls, OR and moved to Portland in February 2022. Her previous sailing experiences include Wednesday night races, regattas, and volunteering for the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda. She joined OWSA in June 2022 to make connections with other women passionate about sailing and hopes to further her education and earn sailing certifications. In May 2023, Sarah and three other OWSA women obtained their ASA 101/103/104 certifications from San Juan Sailing and Yachting aboard Kipper Kite in the San Juan Islands. When not dreaming of sailing, Sarah is found playing board games with her husband, walking her dogs, or telling a joke too punny to repeat. In her professional life, Sarah is an Total Rewards Analyst at a global logistics company and operates her own HR consulting firm. She has experience in small business and nonprofit management, human resources, accounting, and strategic planning.
Email: education@owsa.net
I initially learned to sail when I was in college and took a class on small boats. When I moved back to Portland, I discovered OWSA from a friend, started attending Wednesday night sails and remembered why I enjoyed sailing so much.
I now own a Bayliner Buccaneer 180 that I tow with a Toyota Corolla (can you believe it only weighs 525lbs fully rigged!), and I sail it with my dad. If I have the choice between doing a leisurely sail or racing, I will always choose racing because I love the speed and competition.
I am friendly, outgoing and energetic, and I look forward to connecting with other OWSA ladies and continuing to grow the program.
Email: social@owsa.net
I joined OWSA in 2017 and have participated in many of the clubs opportunities including WNS, BOAST, and the San Juan Island/Gulf Island and BVI Flotillas. I have also taken classes at the Willamette Sailing Club in college and in 2016 & 2017. I volunteer for many organizations including OWSA, SMART Reading in grade schools, a camp for kids with heart disease, the American Heart Association, Friends of Trees, and many more! I am an empty nester now with one son in college and a daughter who just graduated from college. I stay active by doing XC skiing, singing in choirs, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, dancing (Zumba, Hip-hop, Yosakoi, really ANY dancing), swimming, and aqua aerobics. I love to try new activities and before the pandemic I earned my blue belt in tae kwon do and did rock-climbing. My most outdoorsy job was working as part of the Forest Service Spotted Owl Monitoring Crew. By contrast, I have been working remotely from home these past four years. I have had various roles working for medical device companies for 14 years, the last eight of which have been in compliance.
I am looking forward to serving on the board and helping OWSA in whatever way I can!
Email: programs@owsa.net
I started sailing in 2019, taking ASA 101 and 103 classes with my then teenage son. It was a great chance to spend time together, until he left for college (go Beavers!) I joined OWSA to meet other sailors and improve my skills. In addition to sailing, I spend my free time hiking and backpacking as well as traveling in my Sprinter Van.
Email: operations@owsa.net
Monica Hirtreiter, Fundraising Director
Monica has had a lifelong love of all things waterfrom growing up on the lakes of Wisconsin, to kayaking in the Pacific and, finally, getting into sailing about 13 years ago. She has been a member of several wonderful sailing associations including Santa Monica Bay, Long Beach and the Sea Gals. She served as a co-fleet captain in Long Beach, and planned several great events, including the annual Catalina 5 day trip, along with participating in the annual regattas for City of Hope and the WOW/WAH regattas.
Monica has been an active member of OWSA since she joined and has been a member of the BOAST program last year. In addition to sailing, Monica has a passion for fundraising and being active in non-profits, along with traveling and photography. She worked for the American Cancer Society and helped them create and launch their inaugural breast cancer walk and has also raised several thousand dollars and walked in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
Email: fundraising@owsa.net
Beth Steffen, Marketing Director
Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, Beth always enjoyed summers and being on the water in Wisconsin. She eventually started sailing about 13 years ago and has enjoyed many ocean sails and time spent on her and her wifes Catalina 30. She has been a proud member of several sailing organizations, including the Women's Sailing Association Santa Monica Bay, WSA Long Beach and Sea Gals. While in Long Beach, Beth served on the board as co-Fleet Captain where they planned engaging events throughout the year for the club including the annual Catalina 5-day trip.
Beth joined OWSA and has absolutely loved becoming a part of the sailing community here. She participated in BOAST this past summer and has embraced learning to sail on the Columbia. Outside of sailing, Beth brings 18+ years of marketing and advertising experience, working with brands such as Google, Epson, Hyundai, Vans, Virgin Mobile, and more. She thrives on building brands through successful campaigns online, via social media, television, print, events, etc. From Super Bowl ads to social media, Beth has a wide breadth of experience.
Email: marketing@owsa.net
