National Gallery of Art
Data Strategist
Supporting a leading public art institution through data-informed strategy, connecting analytical insight with stronger institutional decision-making.
Artist · Strategist · Cultural Advocate
Art, with purpose.
Sara Lu brings the rigor of strategy to the imagination of art—helping cultural institutions adapt thoughtfully and create lasting impact for their communities.
Selected work
Art practice
A developing archive of color, material, and ideas. New pieces appear here automatically when they are added to the portfolio.
Loading the studio archive…
About
Where business strategy meets cultural impact.
A former Deloitte consultant and current Master in Arts Management and Administration candidate at SDA Bocconi, Sara works at the intersection of creative practice, organizational strategy, and public value.
Her interests center on how art and cultural organizations can strengthen their operations, build long-term sustainability, and remain meaningful to the people they serve. She is seeking opportunities in arts and cultural heritage beginning Fall 2026.
Selected experience
Strategy in service of culture
From the National Gallery of Art to global transformation work.
Deloitte
Consultant · Business Analyst
Advised Fortune 50 and public-sector clients on strategy, digital transformation, and large-scale execution across healthcare, technology, higher education, and energy.
- Shaped strategy and a roadmap for a $500M supply-chain modernization spanning AI, machine learning, and decision intelligence.
- Coordinated 100+ stakeholders and built executive reporting used at the C-suite level.
- Produced a global GenAI summit with participants from 15 countries.
- Led ESG and DEI initiatives focused on community partnership and institutional impact.
- Received the Outstanding Performance Award and Applause Award.
2022
Gallery Resident
ArtWorks Cincinnati
Painting, creative problem-solving, and the Sustainable Creativity exhibition at ArtWorks V² Gallery.
2020
Consultant Intern
The Hackett Group
Strategy, research, presentation, and client-facing work in Chicago.
2019
30 Under 30 Scholar
Forbes
Selected as a scholar for the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit.
2019
Founder & Lead Facilitator
MIT Solveathon · Beijing
Founded Beijing’s first Solveathon, recruited seven facilitators, and formed two teams for MIT Solve.
2018
Innovation Consultant
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Developed a campaign to build awareness and customer connection around the brand’s repositioning.
2016 — 2018
Research & Innovation
Minimax · Fifth Third Bank · Ohio Attorney General · State Farm
International market research, innovation consulting, public-sector research, and client service across Beijing and Ohio.
Education
A global education in art, economics, and leadership.
2025 — 2026
SDA Bocconi
Master in Arts Management and Administration (MAMA)
Class President · Merit Scholarship recipient · Milan, Italy
Undergraduate
Miami University
B.S. Business/Managerial Economics & Art Therapy
Majors in Business Economics and Art Therapy; Asia/Oceania concentration in the China Business Program. Minors in Chinese and International Business.
Full Ride Scholarship · University Honors · Creativity and Innovation Scholar · Dean’s List · President’s List
2019
Peking University
Guanghua School of Management · International Economics
4.0 GPA · Beijing, China
Field notes · Milan
Life at Bocconi
A glimpse into Sara’s year studying arts management in Milan.
Watch on YouTube ↗