Samantha is a fierce advocate for advancing equity and breaking down barriers for historically marginalized communities. Her career has always been driven by people-centered work, through AmeriCorps service and in other sectors like early education and nonprofit policy. She deeply values community autonomy and believes in supporting the unique goals that local groups identify work best for them by leveraging the power government systems can offer.
Samantha comes to the Women’s Commission after participating in a 24-month early childhood policy fellowship with Pathwaves WA, where she worked and learned together with equally dedicated women of color across varying non-profit and public service organizations in Washington. At the Commission, she is excited to broaden her policy expertise in the plethora of categories that affect women and girls and expand our reach to better understand and support all 3.8 million women across Washington State.
Originally from Arizona, Samantha earned her bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University in Speech-Language Services with a minor in Disability Studies. After time working with elementary students in literacy acquisition in Austin, Texas, she obtained her master’s degree in education policy from the University of Washington.