Samantha has nearly 20 years of crisis management experience. She previously served with the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, rising through the ranks from Planner to Deputy Director, culminating in her appointment as Director. She led the city’s response to dozens of crises, including the Amtrak 188 derailment, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. She also led the city’s coordination efforts for the 2015 Papal visit and the 2016 Democratic National Convention. In 2019 she was appointed to serve as the Director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, where she oversaw the Commonwealth’s response to a variety of emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.