Prior to joining MVI, Sally worked in international reproductive health for more than 15 years, with an emphasis on communications, policy analysis, and advocacy. She directed the communications program at Population Action International for more than 10 years, followed by three years leading the group’s financing project, focused on tracking the policies, programs, and funding of the international donor community. She also has worked as a consultant to the World Bank and International Planned Parenthood Federation.

Sally has an interdisciplinary MA in Arab studies from Georgetown University, where she focused on economic and social development in the region and wrote on such issues as women and work in the Arab world and Egypt's agricultural development. Following graduate school, she worked for five years on Middle East peace and related issues. She speaks Spanish and Arabic.