StM News

Libby Pedrick Sartain, of the Class of 1972, is the 2023-24 recipient of St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s Martin de Tours Award. The award is given each school year to an alum who is an outstanding citizen, consistently serving the community and demonstrating a commitment to the highest standards in his/her chosen field of endeavor. Sartain is St. Martin’s 26th recipient of the Martin de Tours award.

Upon receiving the news from Head of School Whitney Samuel Drennan ’94, Sartain responded, "I am deeply honored to receive the Martin de Tours Award for 2024. My journey since graduating in 1972 has been enriched by the values instilled in me during my time at St. Martins. From the strong foundation of faith, scholarship, and service, to the enduring friendships cultivated within those walls, I have been blessed with opportunities to carry forward the lessons learned into a lifetime of meaningful contribution. It is a privilege to maintain connections to both my alma mater and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans, nurturing friendships that have endured nearly six decades. I am grateful for the continued support and inspiration from my school community, guiding me on a path of purpose and fulfillment."

“Libby Sartain's career accomplishments made her a great choice for this year's recipient of the Martin de Tours award,” said Drennan in making the announcement. “Sartain’s life is a testament not only to the quality of a St. Martin’s education but also to the power of dedication, leadership, and service to one’s community. She embodies what we hope all our students will become: committed to the ideals of Faith, Scholarship, and Service.”

Sartain will be recognized at the award ceremony on the school’s campus in April. Students, faculty, staff, members of St. Martin’s Board of Trustees, and special guests of Sartain will be in attendance. 

After graduating from St. Martin’s, Sartain attended Southern Methodist University. She graduated from SMU in 1976, earning a bachelor’s in General Business and Organizational Behavior. She then attended the University of North Texas, earning an MBA in 1977. 

Sartain is a renowned business advisor, board member, and volunteer, following a distinguished 30-year career in human resources. Sartain served as head of human resources for both Southwest Airlines and Yahoo! Inc., leading significant business transformation initiatives as a member of executive leadership teams. She has helped to guide global human resources efforts focusing on attracting, retaining, and developing employees. During her tenure at each company, both Yahoo! and Southwest were listed on the Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For in America and the Fortune 500.

Sartain has received numerous accolades for her expertise in human resources, including being named one of the 25 most powerful women in HR in 2005 by Human Resources Executive Online Magazine. Sartain was named a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (1998) and is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow. In 2020, she was honored by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in the Directorship 100. She was recently named one of the 2023 Most Influential Corporate Board Directors by Womens’ Inc. Magazine.

In addition to her impressive professional accomplishments, Sartain has held many leadership roles in the community. She currently serves on the board of directors of ManpowerGroup and was formerly a director with Shutterfly Inc. and Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Inc. She has served on the board of the AARP since 2014, serving as vice chair from 2016 to 2020. She has been Chairman of the AARP Foundation since 2020. Sartain has also held various volunteer positions with local nonprofits and church organizations.

Named for the patron saint of the school, the Martin de Tours Award is St. Martin’s highest alumni honor. While serving as an officer in the Roman army, Martin met a shivering beggar at the gates of the city of Amiens in Gaul. Moved with compassion, he divided his cloak into two parts and gave one to the beggar. St. Martin de Tours exemplified the aspect of service that is at the heart of St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s mission.

Past Martin de Tours Award recipients include: Robert L. Livingston, Jr. ’60, Sue Ruppel Laudeman ’55, Hans A.B. Jonassen ’58, Julie Hogue McCollam ’52, Gwynne Bowman ’59, W. Brooks Emory ’60, James O. Gundlach ’54, Robert W. Merrick ’62, S. Ford Rowan, Jr. ’61, Patty Habeeb Muehlemann ’65, Carlos Zervigon ’57, John M. Girault, Sr. ’55, Robert J. “Bobby” Whann III ’57, Antonio Cabrales ’54, John Gage ’59, Peggy Higgins Sewell ’68, Betsy Threefoot Kaston ’72, Walter E. Blessey, Jr. ’62, Donald K. Marshall ’68, Cynthia Phillips Schmidt ’74, William E. Wright Jr. ’67, John Eastman ’64, Charles Nelson ’65, Kelly Duncan ’72, and Christy Brown ’78.