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Martina Samson | Senior Communications Leader | Philadelphia, PA

martina.h.samson@gmail.com | (267) 968-5705 | martinasamson.com

Community-builder and change communications leader with 10+ years of experience designing engagement programs, leading cross-functional groups, and guiding large organizations through complex transformation. Experienced building the digital infrastructure and human connections required for change adoption and crafting the communications that drive buy-in at every level. Equally at home shaping strategy with senior leadership and rolling up my sleeves in day-to-day execution.

Core Expertise

  • Community Building & Engagement Programs
  • Change Communication & Transformations
  • Learning & Enablement Program Design
  • Digital Platform Adoption & Launch
  • Integrated Campaign Strategy & Execution
  • Stakeholder & Executive Engagement
  • ERG & Community-of-Practice Leadership
  • Crisis & Labor Relations Communications
  • Content Development & Facilitation
  • Data-Driven Measurement & Reporting

Experience

IKEA U.S., Conshohocken, PA                                                                                                         May 2023 – Present

Communication Business Partner — Sustainability, Social Impact, Fulfillment

Change Communications

  • Led change communications for a global fulfillment organization job title and responsibilities realignment; facilitated focus groups and produced communications packages translating global strategy into frontline clarity for 5,000 employees across 52 stores and seven fulfillment centers.
  • Serve as embedded communications and thought partner for project managers, aligning messaging to operational plans, connecting individual initiatives to company strategy, and helping leaders communicate the 'why' to secure employee buy-in.
  • Supported crisis and labor relations communications across high-stakes situations, including a distribution center fire and a union strike vote; closed messaging gaps in real time and built reusable playbooks and templates to prepare future teams.
  • Managed communications for three fulfillment unit closures, supporting leaders and co-workers through sensitive, high-impact transitions.

Community Building & Team Development

  • Established clear structure, inclusive programming, and strategic alignment for the Disability Employee Resource Group, shifting leadership's mindset from a 'support group' model to a strategic HR business partner: 11% increase in engagement · 14% increase in membership
  • Developed FY26 Disability ERG roadmap grounded in stakeholder input; created micro-trainings with ready-to-use conversation starters to build psychologically safe team environments; partnered with Learning & Development to embed micro-trainings into established leadership programs.
  • Assumed responsibility outside the formal scope of role to matrix-manage and develop seven Fulfillment Center Communication Specialists; designed and facilitated a three-day workshop to align communication strategy, establish KPIs, and develop individual and team growth plans.
  • Localized IKEA Foundation Week from a global content package into a U.S.-wide internal engagement campaign, mobilizing 30 Foundation Ambassadors to activate the network and drive measurable cultural impact: 18.5% increase in awareness · 6% increase in pride sentiment

Integrated Marketing Campaigns

  • Lead cross-functional Sustainability workgroup to develop integrated marketing communication strategies aligned with brand positioning and sales goals.
  • Developed and executed Earth Month integrated campaigns, delivering significant and consistent YOY revenue growth for three consecutive years: 306% (2024), 258% (2025), 42% (2026).
  • Directed U.S. strategy and end-to-end execution for ONE HOME, ONE PLANET and Climate Week NYC conferences, managing cross-functional internal and external teams across the U.S. and Europe: 32% YOY increase in attendance · 8,000+ organic LinkedIn engagements


Comoto Family of Brands (RevZilla), Philadelphia, PA                                                       May 2014 – May 2023

Progressed from Junior Executive Assistant to Manager through consistent scope expansion and cross-functional leadership across e-commerce, fulfillment, and retail operations.

Change Communications & Organizational Transformation

  • Managed internal communications for two acquisitions and mergers; prepared executive speaking points, press releases, scripts, emails, and FAQs for newly integrated teams.
  • Unified five disparate brands under the 'Run As One' initiative, singlehandedly developing and executing the internal communications strategy to drive engagement and retention across 2,500 team members in 160 stores, three fulfillment centers, and a remote shared services workforce.
  • Maintained employee trust during COVID-19 through timely, empathetic communications, including CEO ghostwriting and sensitive HR messaging during a period of rapid change.
  • Led full lifecycle of Jostle intranet adoption; served as editorial lead spotlighting strategic priorities and employee impact: 73% platform engagement within 9 months of launch

Community Building & ERG Leadership

  • Managed a remote, five-member cross-functional team to develop Comoto's first ESG framework and annual report, coordinating across senior leadership through disruptive organizational change.
  • Coached ERG leaders as a founding DEI Council member, helping them articulate their vision and build group momentum: 30% YOY increase in ERG participation
  • Onboarded and mentored three Comoto Cares community liaisons, simultaneously building their professional skills and delegating local nonprofit partnership development to scale the program.

Community & Philanthropy

  • Grew Comoto Cares from a $14k program to $300k+ in annual impact over eight years: $1.2M donated · 3,000+ volunteer hours logged
  • Built the marquee Ride for Kids partnership with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, raising $500k+ in its first two years; secured $100k+ in vendor sponsorships through a tiered pitch strategy and doubled event attendance through geo-targeted marketing campaigns.
  • Evolved the nonprofit partnership model by implementing a DEI-informed grant application process for motorcycle-related charities, expanding reach to new rider segments while engaging ERGs.

Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne, PA                                                                         August 2011 – May 2014

French & English Teacher, Grades 8–12 

  • Built foundational communication, facilitation, and coaching skills through classroom instruction and community programming, grounding a career in clarity, empathy, and human connection.

Community & Civic Engagement

New Leash on Life-USA — Career Readiness Instructor (Volunteer), Philadelphia, PA               2018 – 2022

  • Coached 70+ incarcerated participants in job readiness, mock interviews, and resume writing to support successful reentry.

Greater Philadelphia Corporate Volunteer Council — Co-Chair & Steering Committee                 2016 – 2023

  • Led organizational transition from the United Way to the Philadelphia Foundation. 
  • Earned Points of Light's 2021 CVC of the Year for our work launching the Regional Civic 50. 
  • Directed pandemic pivot to virtual programming: 11 events, 3 newsletters, 20% membership growth.

Education

M.A., French Linguistics & Pedagogy

Middlebury College

B.A., English & French

Temple University

Certificate: Corporate Sustainability, NYU Stern

Certificate: Materiality of ESG Factors, University of Pennsylvania

Certificate: Project Management Principles & Practices, UC Irvine

Technical Skills

Google Suite · Microsoft 365 · SharePoint · Viva Engage · Teams · Slack · Zoom · Canva · Eventbrite · Microsoft Copilot · Mailchimp · Jostle