Sam joined Big Waters in April 2018. After serving as both Special Events Manager and Marketing and Communications Manager, in April of 2023 Sam was promoted to Director of Marketing and Events. In this role, Sam is responsible for developing and executing effective communication and event strategies to increase engagement, grow target audiences, and increase public awareness of Big Waters initiatives. Sam earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of South Florida and is an internationally Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) through the Digital Marketing Institute as well as a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) through the American Marketing Association. She is additionally certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace through the University of South Florida and as a Climate Change Communications Trainer through the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI). Sam is a Leadership Sarasota graduate, serves on Sunshine Community Compost’s Board of Directors, and sits on both the JEDI Committee and Membership Committee of NNOCCI’s Governing Council. She is passionate about environmental media and communications, environmental justice, and greater representation in conservation and outdoor recreation. In her spare time, Sam loves camping, spending time with her husband and two young children, exploring nature with friends, and learning more about our incredible planet.
Sam Valentin
Director of Marketing and Events
Nature is a huge part of who I am. I consider it a great privilege to be part of an organization working every day to make sure all people – now and in the future – are able to experience the same sense of wonder and joy the great outdoors has brought me throughout my lifetime.
