Sarah Schwarzschild’s career has been defined by bold moves, hands-on leadership, and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders.
As COO at Mavik Capital Management, she has distinguished herself in real estate private equity, with a thoughtful, deliberate approach that guides both her career and her life.
In a recent webinar hosted by Hannah Wynnyk, President & COO of the Kayo Conference Series, Sarah shared her insights on leadership, negotiation, and career growth, including how she hones professional skills through everyday interactions. Negotiation, for example, isn’t just a business skill for Sarah, it’s a way of life. “Everything is a negotiation,” she shares, and with parents who are both lawyers, she half-jokingly mentions that negotiation is “actually a family pastime.” From everyday interactions to high-stakes deals, she approaches negotiation as a playful, interactive practice, emphasizing that bringing fun to one’s negotiation strategy is integral. That mindset has given her confidence not just in meetings, but in life.
Her take on work-life balance is equally refreshing. “I don’t believe in work-life balance,” she says bluntly, adding, “I think work-life balance sets you up for failure” – a feeling familiar to anyone who has tried to maintain a structured separation between work and life. Instead, she focuses on aligning time and energy with what matters most. Most days are spent driving strategic initiatives at Mavik, while others might need to be devoted to her family. She even dives into her goal setting strategies and how those goals can range from delivering a keynote speech to winning a firmwide reading competition to mastering needlepoint. Balance, for her, isn’t a static goal, it’s a series of intentional choices.
Sarah is equally intentional about building her network. Success, she emphasizes, isn’t achieved alone. “I try to be generous with my time,” she says. “I will be your truth-teller.” Beyond colleagues, she surrounds herself with mentors, sponsors, and a personal board of directors, cultivating a community that supports growth while giving back by mentoring and sponsoring others in turn.
Growth, she says, often comes from the uncomfortable moments. “If you are growing and you are making big decisions, it is uncomfortable,” she reflects. Bold moves, whether negotiating a high-stakes deal or making a major career shift, are part of her philosophy, and she encourages others to act decisively while remaining thoughtful and strategic.
At Mavik, these principles come to life. Sarah takes a hands-on role in strategic initiatives, fundraising, and building high-performing teams. She focuses on what she can influence and partners with people who share her standards of excellence. Her approach blends practical results with mentorship, honesty, and intentionality, proving that leadership is about people, not just processes.
Sarah Schwarzschild negotiates boldly, lives intentionally, and invests in people. Her career is a roadmap for anyone looking to lead with confidence, purpose, and impact, both in business and in life.
Watch the full webinar here to hear more of Sarah’s insights on leadership, career growth, and the art of negotiation.
Written by Olivia Vanderhart
Olivia is a Product Marketing Associate at Kayo Conference Series