Chair, Isabella Bank Corporation
Sarah Opperman is a business executive with more than 40 years of professional experience, including a diverse range of business and philanthropic leadership roles. Opperman has served as the elected chair of the Board of Directors of Isabella Bank Corporation and Isabella Bank since 2021. She has been an independent director on those boards since 2012.
She was employed by The Dow Chemical Company for nearly 30 years in Public Affairs, retiring in 2009 as Vice President of Global Government Affairs and Public Policy. She served in a variety of roles, including Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Reputation. She was honored with the Genesis Award, Dow’s highest recognition for people leadership.
In 2018, Opperman served as interim President and CEO of the Midland Business Alliance, an integrated business hub that includes economic development, chamber of commerce, and four other organizations. In 2019, Opperman received the Chairman’s Award for her leadership in strategically realigning and relaunching the organization. In 2019, she was honored with the ATHENA Award for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
A first-generation U.S. citizen and university student, Opperman graduated from Central Michigan University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Journalism. She was appointed by the governor to CMU’s Board of Trustees in 2009, and was elected Chair two years during her eight-year appointment. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from CMU in 2019.
Opperman chairs CMU’s Advancement Board. She serves on the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation Board, the Michigan Baseball Foundation Board, the Midland Contemporary Review Club, and the Midland 100 Club.
Opperman and her husband, Dan, have lived in Midland for more than thirty years. They are proud parents of two adult sons.
