How can somebody so detailed also be so dynamic? Equal parts master of details and master of storytelling, Samara is one of those rare people who is organized and methodical while also highly creative, inquisitive, and collaborative. Colleagues and clients alike appreciate Samara’s sincerity, and herinventive and fresh solutions to communications challenges. She’s a visual thinker and a talented writer who understands the practice of influence and seeks out the right angle and tension to tell your story effectively, while capturing the language that resonates with the audiences you’re trying to reach.

Prior to GreatWork, Samara was a Vice President at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, a large integrated communications agency, where she oversaw the public relations efforts for the Developer and Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft, specializing in thought leadership and business-to-business communications campaigns for web development and cloud computing.  Samara managed innovative global events and social media for technical audiences.  She also launched BizSpark, a marketing program designed to attract start-ups across all industry sectors to the Microsoft platform. Prior to this, she worked in Osaka, Japan as an international business development manager for Matsuo Bridge Company, Ltd. Samara speaks and writes Japanese, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Japanese Language and Literature from Yale University.

Samara’s industry accolades include a PRSA Silver Anvil Award, numerous Bulldog Reporter awards, and she was featured in the article “Visionary PR: Integrated Microsoft/WE PR Campaign Mixes it Up for Millions of On and Offline Hits” for her work driving a groundbreaking social media and traditional media campaign.