This month, the AJGA Trailblazer Spotlight Series shines a light on Anneliese Sannes, the newest member of the AJGA’s Foundation Department. While Sannes, like many, began her professional career at the AJGA through its Internship Program, her path to the summer of 2024 has been anything but traditional.
Growing up, Sannes was always passionate about animals, which led her to focus her college experience at the University of Georgia on becoming a veterinarian.
“I ended up graduating with a degree in Animal Science and a minor in Agriculture and Business Management,” Sannes explained. “I was always interested in animals growing up, so I knew I wanted to go to school and study them.”
After graduating, Sannes was on track for veterinary school and worked for an emergency vet. However, over time, she began to feel burned out. She realized she wasn’t sure how much further she could grow in her current career and started wondering what else was out there.
“I just wanted to get out of a clinic environment,” Sannes shared. “I wanted to be outdoors more and work with people in a more hands-on, fun, and light-hearted way.”
Having grown up near the AJGA’s National Headquarters in Braselton, Georgia, Sannes had heard of the organization but never considered it as a professional opportunity. She decided to apply after connecting with a few staff members who mentioned the AJGA Internship.
“When I was going through the interview process, I still didn’t know if I was going to switch my entire career path,” Sannes said. “I decided to take a chance and here I am.”
In the summer of 2024, Sannes joined the AJGA as a Traveling Operations Intern, leaving behind her veterinary career but still holding onto the thought of returning to vet school afterward. She even joked about bringing her love for animals into the Operations role.
“Seeing all the different types of squirrels and wildlife on the golf course was such a fun aspect for me,” Sannes recalled. “I was still learning about animals, but it started to become more of a hobby rather than my career.”
Sannes was later offered the opportunity to interview for full-time roles within the AJGA. Initially hesitant, she decided to go for it. It wasn’t until other opportunities arose that she truly began to see herself at the AJGA long-term.
“During the interview they asked me if I could see myself switching careers and I said yes,” Sannes said. “I called my parents right after, telling them I was thinking of completely changing my entire life.”
Ultimately Sannes sought a position that would blend her love of working with people and giving back to the community. That’s when the Manager, Foundation role in the AJGA’s Foundation Department caught her attention. Sannes began her new role in October 2024, where she now focuses on the Cobra Puma Golf State Cup Series and helping juniors associated with the event fundraising.
“Meeting all these new families and juniors is definitely my favorite part,” Sannes shared. “It’s so exciting to watch our juniors give back, and that’s something really important to me.”
So far, Sannes has thoroughly enjoyed her time in the Foundation Department and is excited to continue to grow personally and professionally while giving back to charities along the way.
“I want to raise over $300,000 through the events I have coming up,” she said. “My goal is to establish long-term relationships so we can continue growing the series and support all the charities involved.”
Sannes’ journey is a prime example of the power of taking a leap of faith and pursuing new opportunities—even if it means stepping back before moving forward.
“It’s better to try something new and get a new experience rather than trying to keep yourself in the same environment where you can’t grow anymore,” Sannes said. “I was definitely scared and wasn’t sure what would happen, but I had to take the risk, and I am so glad I did.”
