Most Influential Women in Business: Sarah Minardi from Saunders & Associates
- Sarah Minardi
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Article by Frankie Wynnewood: Reprinted from VUE Magazine
Rooted in East Hampton and shaped by decades of change, this leading Hamptons real estate professional approaches success with a rare blend of discipline, integrity, and deep respect for
place. In this conversation, she reflects on the values that guide her work, the relationships that sustain her business, and her commitment to preserving both the character of the Hamptons and the
community she calls home.
You’ve built a powerful presence in the Hamptons real estate market. What do you believe has been the key to your success — and how has that definition evolved over time?
I don’t think about success in a big, sweeping way. I break it down. I approach each listing, and each seller and buyer I work with, as their own challenge and their own responsibility. Saying that out loud can sound a little contrived, but it doesn’t feel that way when I’m actually doing the work.
I grew up here, and I’ve watched East Hampton, and the Hamptons overall, evolve over decades. I feel a real responsibility to the place itself. The beaches, thoughtful development, environmental care, and a sense of neighborhood still matter to me. I see those elements as part of my job, not just the backdrop. That’s also why I sit on the East Hampton School District’s Board of Education, am a member of the Ladies Village Improvement Society, and serve on the Town’s Community Housing Advisory Board.
Have I sold extraordinary properties? Yes. But I’m also raising two incredible human beings with my husband, who happens to be my best friend. My definition of success is built on small, daily decisions and clear priorities. I believe I have those priorities in the right order.
The Hamptons is one of the most competitive luxury markets in the country. How do you differentiate yourself while staying true to your values as a businesswoman?
My belief system is simple. Most people want to do the right thing. They want fairness. They want to know shortcuts weren’t taken. I take that seriously whether someone is buying or selling.
I don’t think of myself as differentiating so much as collaborating. The relationships I’ve built within the brokerage community have strengthened my business, and I hope I’ve done the same for others. Am I competitive? Absolutely. But my success rests on a long-built ecosystem of people, many of whom I’ve worked alongside for more than 25 years. We celebrate wins together.
And one small thing that matters more than people realize. I don’t gossip. I try very hard not to. I’m not the person people call with tales of who did what to whom. That discipline has helped me both personally and professionally. Trust lasts longer when it isn’t fueled by noise.
As a woman leading in a high-stakes industry, what leadership qualities have helped you navigate challenges and build lasting influence?
Traditionally, women entered real estate because it was seen as something you could do part-time while raising a family. As the Hamptons market became more lucrative, the industry evolved. Technology and social media changed the tools, not the fundamentals.
Gender has never really entered into it for me. I can crawl around a basement looking for a leak with the best of them, and I’ve seen male brokers stage a house better than I ever could.
I spend at least one or two hours a day studying what’s happening in markets beyond my own and bringing the best ideas back here. That curiosity matters.
When I talk with friends in other industries, especially in New York, I know gender has been a much bigger factor for them. I don’t dismiss that. It just hasn’t defined my experience in this business.
Is there a standout listing in the Hamptons that you’re especially proud of — and what makes it a true reflection of your approach to real estate?
I can’t choose one listing. That would be like picking a favorite child, and I will not do that on the record.
What I can say is that I love two very different kinds of properties. I love older homes that have been carefully maintained or respectfully restored to their original design. And I love new development when it’s done by builders who care as much about quality and integrity as they do about profit.
I work with a builder, Tom Schaub of Bluefin Building Company, who is discerning about every property he decides to make anew. He looks for land that invites creativity and architecture that fits the environment. He has built one-of-a-kind homes in East Hampton, Amagansett, Watermill, and now Southampton. He loves modern design, but only when it belongs on the land. It doesn’t have to be the biggest lot to be the right one.
He spares no expense, including the parts no one sees. I’ve had the privilege of working with him on multiple sales, and each one is a masterclass in architecture, craftsmanship, and landscaping meant to last.
And then there are the houses that are 200 years old. If it’s not my listing, I promise I’m first in line at the open house. I need to see what they did inside.
Looking ahead, what do you hope your impact will be — both on the Hamptons real estate landscape and on the next generation of women in business?
The Hamptons market will continue to change. I recently wrote a five-year review of different areas within East Hampton, and my hope is that future development remains as thoughtful as it has been.
I will never sacrifice the experience of living here for an extra commission point. I want my daughter, and her daughter if she has one, to grow up with the same Hamptons I did, not a built-up version I’ve seen elsewhere.
As for women in business, one of the gifts of my work is the number of women I meet every year. Buyers, sellers, lawyers, bankers, vendors. Many have mentored me, and I hope I’ve mentored them in return. I stay in touch by sharing articles, observations, and stories that feel useful.
I have a close, ever-expanding circle of friends and collaborators. I’m proud to be part of a group made up of remarkable women and clients who’ve crossed my path over the years, and I plan to keep that going.
When you’re not working, what does a perfect Hamptons day look like for you—and what keeps you grounded beyond business?
The beach. Or riding my bike. Ideally with my husband and my kids, whenever I can convince them to come along.
We stay busy with activities I won’t bore you with, but I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities my children have growing up here full-time.
We also make a point of traveling together a few times a year. Those trips are how tomorrow’s memories get made, and they give me an excuse to look at real estate in other places.
Don’t tell anyone, but I sometimes sneak into open houses.
I’m also a voracious reader. Not always great literature. I’m still working my way through the classics, one unfinished masterpiece at a time.
Looking back, how did your upbringing or early life shape the woman and business leader you are today? Are there values or lessons you still carry with you?
Growing up here taught me to pay attention. To people. To place. To the long view. When you live in a small, deeply rooted community, reputation matters. How you treat people matters. You learn quickly that your word travels faster than you do.
My mother’s devoted work ethic as an elementary school teacher left a deep impression on me.
She stayed after hours prepping her classroom, worked weekends on new projects for her students, and cared deeply about her craft. People still tell me she was their favorite teacher, and there was a reason for that. She took her profession seriously, as do I.
I learned the value of showing up prepared, staying curious, and doing what you say you’ll do. I also learned that consistency beats flash, every time.
Those lessons still guide me. In business, in family, and in how I move through this community. The Hamptons raised me. I take that responsibility seriously.
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