Samantha (she/her/hers) has a 20+ year history of working working at the nexus of communications, policy and advocacy. In addition to handling communications around clean energy and climate change as the communications director for the NJ Board of Public Utilities (part of Governor Phil Murphy’s administration) she oversaw communications for NYC’s health and human services agencies — including homelessness, income inequality, health and hospitals and children’s services — as a member of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s team. There, she also created a first in the nation girls’ body image and self-esteem initiative.
From banning smoking in restaurants, posting calorie counts, banning Trans Fats, instituting restaurant grades and the soda "ban," Samantha has lived and worked through the arc of some of the most bold, effective and game-changing public health initiatives ever proposed in the U.S. - all of which required nuanced communication, public and community engagement, and an understanding of what levers to push to influence public opinion.
Prior to joining the Mayor's office, she was the director of marketing and media relations for NARAL Pro-Choice New York and communications director for Planned Parenthood of New York City.
Previously, Samantha was a consultant for Tina Brown Live Media /Women in the World, a writer for The Daily Beast and Women in the World and an SVP at SKDKnickerbocker where clients included the National Institute for Reproductive Health, Win (formerly Women in Need) and the Paradigm for Parity Coalition. She also was the communications lead on the late author and activist Beth Shulman’s work on low-wage work and income inequality.
After 20+ years in New York City, Samantha recently moved to Orlando, Florida where she’ has been working on homelessness and affordable housing.