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Samantha Dodson

@samanthadodson

Message

I lead national convenings, delivering strategic events, partnerships, and measurable operational improvements.

United States

Message

At Partners for Rural Impact, I lead strategy and execution for seven national summits and stakeholder convenings each year, managing programming, logistics, sponsorships, six-figure budgets, and venue contracts. I’ve helped expand attendance from 300 attendees in 2018 to 700 in 2025 while stewarding partner and sponsor relationships.

I’ve built my career through executive operations, project management, and event leadership at Partners for Education and Eastern Kentucky University. I bring experience in virtual and in-person events, stakeholder engagement, vendor management, post-event analysis, and process automation—including work that reduced operational touch time by 60%.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Director of Strategic Convenings

Current

Partners for Rural Impact

Apr 2024 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Leading strategy and execution for 7 national summits and stakeholder convenings annually, aligning programming with organizational mission. Managing large-scale and niche in-person and virtual events, overseeing logistics, sponsorships, six-figure budgets, and contract negotiations.

Event Planning Event Logistics Virtual Events In Person Events Budget Management Contract Negotiation Vendor Management Sponsorship Coordination Stakeholder Engagement Cross Functional Collaboration Cvent Salesforce Microsoft Office Adobe Creative Suite Canva

Director of the Executive Office

Partners for Rural Impact

Dec 2022 - Apr 2024 (1 year 4 months)

Directed executive office operations, ensuring efficiency, six-figure budget stewardship, and high-quality partner engagement. Coordinated high-level stakeholder convenings, managing agenda development, hospitality, onsite logistics, and post-event follow-up.

Budget Management Vendor Management Contract Negotiation Event Planning Event Logistics Stakeholder Engagement Process Improvement Automation Tools

Project Manager & Assistant to the Executive Director

Partners for Education, Berea College

Nov 2017 - Nov 2022 (5 years)

Managed executive communications and scheduling, including complex national travel and conference logistics. Served as lead project manager for national Rural College Access and Success Summits, coordinating venues, contracts, content, speaker preparation, and participant engagement.

Project Management Event Planning Event Logistics Contract Negotiation Vendor Management Stakeholder Engagement Cross Functional Collaboration Executive Communication Scheduling

Communication Specialist & Business Manager

Eastern Kentucky University

Dec 2012 - Nov 2017 (4 years 11 months)

Managed a six-figure operating budget for The Eastern Progress, ensuring fiscal responsibility and accurate financial reporting. Planned and executed academic, campus, and community events, and supervised, trained, and mentored Journalism and Marketing students.