Martina Samson | Senior Communications Leader | Philadelphia, PA

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

I help organizations communicate with clarity, lead through change, and build workplaces where people feel connected to something bigger than their inbox. Over 10+ years, I've built communications programs from scratch at a fast-scaling startup, advised C-suite leaders through acquisitions and crises, and currently own enterprise-wide communication strategies for 16,000+ employees at IKEA U.S.

My approach is shaped by a simple belief: clear communication is an act of care. Whether I'm navigating a labor negotiation, launching a sustainability campaign, or coaching a first-time manager, the goal is always the same: make things clearer, easier, and more human.

Core Expertise

• Internal Communications Strategy
• Executive Advisory & Ghostwriting 
• Change & Transformation Communications 
• Employee Experience & Engagement 
• Editorial Strategy & Content Systems 
• Organizational Frameworks & Playbooks 
  

• Crisis & Issues Management
• Measurement & Engagement Analytics
• Vendor Management
• DEI & Social Impact Communications
• AI-Assisted Communications (Microsoft Copilot)
• Multi-Channel Campaign Strategy

Experience

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

Communication Business Partner — Sustainability, Social Impact, Fulfillment

Enterprise communications strategy for one of the world's most recognized brands — advising senior leaders, governing digital channels, and keeping 16,000+ co-workers informed, aligned, and connected to the mission.

• Developed comprehensive labor and union communications frameworks — FAQs, flyers, emails, comms cascades, scenario plans, and timelines — for co-worker and external audiences during strikes and negotiations, all under legal review and NLRB compliance
• Led change communications for Evergreen, a complex fulfillment reorganization — embedded on the Steering Team, conducted focus groups with frontline employees, and delivered segmented content that translated global strategy into local clarity
• Led cross-functional team to drive Earth Day campaigns generating 306% YOY sales growth and 110% engagement lift (2024) and 258% YOY sales growth (2025)
• Managed APCO Worldwide agency partnership for ONE HOME, ONE PLANET and Climate Week NYC — grew attendance 32% YOY and generated 8,000+ organic LinkedIn engagements
• Led Disability CRG (ERG) — grew channel engagement 11% and membership 14% through structured programming and a stakeholder-grounded FY26 roadmap
• Matrix manage seven fulfillment unit communication specialists

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

Joined RevZilla as employee #108; scaled through PE acquisition to 2,500-employee, multi-brand platform 

Nine years. One company. Four titles. Built communications, ESG, and philanthropy functions from scratch. 

Communications & Community Relations Manager | May 2022 – May 2023

• Built Comoto's first ESG strategy and inaugural ESG report
• Unified five brands under "Run As One" — segmented communications strategy across 160 stores, 3 fulfillment centers, and remote teams
• Founded DEI Council; owned 16-issue monthly newsletter; drove 30% ERG participation increase
• Scaled Comoto Cares to $300K+ annual impact and 3,000+ volunteer hours

Communications & Community Relations Specialist | Nov 2019 – May 2022

• Ghostwrote CEO communications through COVID-19 and two PE-backed acquisitions — clear, empathetic, and trusted by a 2,500-person workforce
• Directed Jostle intranet implementation from vendor selection through adoption — 73% engagement in nine months
• Led communications for two mergers: executive messaging, FAQs, press releases, all-hands presentations

Corporate Giving Coordinator & Executive Assistant | Aug 2015 – Nov 2019

• Founded ZLAnthropy — RevZilla's first corporate giving program; grew budget 200% through measurable engagement and PR outcomes
• Produced monthly employee newsletter; used open rate data to optimize subject lines and content strategy

Junior Executive Assistant (CEO/Co-Founder) | May 2014 – Aug 2015

• Direct support to CEO/Co-Founder through rapid startup scaling — calendar, board prep, and cross-functional coordination

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

French & English Teacher, Grades 8–12 

Where the communication philosophy started — learning to translate complexity for young people who weren't yet sure they cared, and finding ways to make them care anyway.

Community & Civic Engagement

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

I coached 70+ incarcerated participants in job readiness, communication, and confidence, helping people who said, "I've never had a real job" leave with a real resume and a real story. This work is the foundation of my Career Conversations method and the clearest expression of why I believe communication is transformative.

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