Meet Our Coaches

Why The College Funding Coach?

My decision to join The College Funding Coach® was an easy one. I had been looking for a way to take my financial practice to the next level while offering more value to the families I serve. When I discovered this program, I knew immediately it was the right fit—not just for me, but for the families I work with.

This work is deeply personal. When my younger brother was preparing for college, I thought back to the sacrifices my parents made to send me. It took them nearly two decades to recover financially. Watching history repeat itself within our own family lit a fire in me. There had to be a better way—and I was determined to find it.

After attending a college funding workshop hosted by my firm, I was hooked. I hadn’t realized how much strategy, insight, and nuance existed beyond simply saving in a 529 plan. I knew then that I wanted to bring this information to as many families as possible, and The College Funding Coach® gave me the perfect platform to do that—educating parents, reducing financial stress, and creating smarter paths forward.

Area of Focus for Delivering LKS Workshops:

Upstate New York
Special focus on schools and organizations that support student-athletes

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A Little More About Sarah

Career Background:
Sarah began her career as an educator before transitioning into the world of financial services. Though she left the classroom, she never stopped teaching. Since joining Evolution Financial Group and National Life Group in 2019, Sarah has brought her educator’s mindset into every client conversation—breaking down complex concepts, tailoring strategies to each family’s unique situation, and ensuring her clients feel understood and valued. Her approach is collaborative, creative, and always people-first.

Personal Life:
A proud New Yorker, Sarah is the granddaughter of Robert “Bob” Maliani Sr., a standout pitcher with a contract from the St. Louis Browns and a lifelong educator and advocate for special needs students. Though Bob had a roster of grandsons, Sarah was his only granddaughter—and she proudly followed in his footsteps. With a deep love of teaching and a passion for kids and sports, Sarah’s journey has come full circle.

She is a single mom to her son, Brooklyn Michael—affectionately known as B$, thanks to his passion for both money and sports. Together, they live and breathe athletics, life lessons, and Buffalo Bills football.

Since 2021, Sarah has been involved with the Utica Blue Sox of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, where she launched All Bases Covered—a program dedicated to educating athletes and their families about college funding, pairing players with trainers, and ensuring they stay focused on the game, not just the scholarship.

Education:

• Oswego State University (2004–2008) – Dual Major: Elementary Education & Social Studies

• Grand Canyon University (2009–2011) – Special Education

Professional Accomplishments:

• Ethan Allen Award – Silver (2019) – National Life Group

• President’s Club (2020) – National Life Group

• Rookie of the Year (2019) – Evolution Financial Group

• Former team captain and treasurer, Oswego State Synchronized Figure Skating Team

• USFSA Figure Skater since age 4, with national and international medals in individual and team competition

Community Involvement:

• Assistant Team Manager, Notre Dame of Utica JV/V Basketball

• Fundraising Coordinator, Whitestown Pop Warner Football

• Team Manager, Westmoreland and New Hartford Pop Warner Football

When She’s Not Working:
Sarah is proudly Brooklyn’s chauffeur, cheerleader, and snack manager. Their shared love of sports keeps them busy—whether it’s attending a game, watching the Yankees, Buffalo Bills, or Brooklyn Nets, or bonding over “gentleman training” dates, courtesy of Brooklyn’s allowance.

Her mission is to ensure parents never have to tell their student-athletes to give up on their dream simply because of money. This year, Sarah has helped two Division 1 baseball players transition out of college to the next level, including having a player drafted sixth overall in the Frontier League and one invited to attend the Savannah Bananas tryouts.

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Licensed to offer life and health insurance in: NY, NV, FL, NJ

The College Funding Coach is not affiliated with MML Investor Services.