The Owners' Manual | Issue 21 | Spring/Summer 2021

SARAH BARTELS MERIDEN | LEGAL 02.08.21

What made you decide to come to BL Companies? I was most attracted to BL because of its strong female leadership, wholesome culture, and national presence. Tell us about yourself I grew up in Rhode Island and attended URI for undergrad (go Rams!), where I competed on the club gymnastics team and contributed to the team’s 2010 National Championship! I also had theopportunitytostudy “abroad” in Hawaii, so I spent my junior year exploring the beaches of Oahu and taking some interesting Hawaiian history classes. After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science and working for three years in that industry, I changed course and attended Syracuse University College of Law (go Orange!) where I met my husband. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy spending my free time being active outdoors no matter the season, cooking, and baking. What is a good piece of advice you’ve received? No [wo]man is an island.

What is a favorite vacation or dream destination? My family’s favorite vacation spot is in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? My lineage is 100% Russian, but I only know a handful of Russian words. I would/should learn how to speak Russian fluently! If you won the lottery, what’s your splurge? A coastal vineyard. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Taking (and passing) the bar examon a broken computer that crashed in the middle of the test. Or living in New England as a Philadelphia sports fan. Do you have a TV binge/Movie/Book/Music worth recommending? The Crown, The Office, Schitt’s Creek, Downton Abbey, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time? I love a good puzzle.