Samantha Karlin

About Samantha Karlin

Samantha Karlin is a visionary leadership development expert, speaker, and trainer on a mission to activate changemakers and create environments where people and organizations flourish. A TEDx speaker, Samantha is working on a book on 21st-century leadership, for which she received the prestigious Bellagio Fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation—an honor shared with luminaries like Maya Angelou and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As the founder and CEO of Empower Global, her firm specializes in designing custom leadership accelerators for global organizations based in neuroscience and the latest cutting edge research. With a track record of training over leaders from 48 countries, Samantha empowers purpose-driven changemakers with groundbreaking leadership strategies. Her work spans sectors, from corporate boardrooms to international NGOs, helping leaders navigate today’s turbulent global landscape. Samantha is the designer and instructor of the Women’s Leadership Challenge, a year-long program for ambitious women ready to break through glass ceilings and lead as women. The program equips women with the confidence, tools, and strategies to thrive, embodying feminist leadership principles that drive systems change. Samantha has spoken all over the world. Known for her dynamic, high-energy approach, Samantha\'s speaking style keeps audiences engaged and motivated. Her blend of storytelling and personal anecdotes makes key concepts relatable and inspiring. She has trained and spoken at organizations such as The Wilson Center, AWS, Coldwell Bankers, Hiscox, Monday.com, and the U.S. Department of State. Her work spans geographies, from Bosnia to Peru, India, Chile, the UK, Spain, and beyond. She hosts the podcast Samanthropolitics, exploring global politics, U.S. foreign policy, and women’s rights. Her guests include Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Admiral James Stavridis, and Ambassador Peter Galbraith. Samantha holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School, with studies in foreign policy, diplomacy, and gender analysis. She has also studied at the Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Education School, and Yale University. She’s contributed to The Washington Post and been quoted by many news publications. Clients describe her as engaging, energetic, and transformational, bringing a fresh approach to leadership. Formerly a coloratura operatic soprano, Samantha now uses her voice to empower others to reach their leadership potential. Strengths: Ideation, Positivity, Individualization, Woo, Strategic, Context

Experience

1. Guild Member

   Mission Grey

   Jul 2025 — Present

   Partner with Mission Grey\'s AI geopolitical risk platform for clients- Deploy executive coaches and regional specialists to create full risk mappings and coach leaders to prepare for the future using real time insight

Education

• Harvard Graduate School of Education

  Pedagogy of Civics Education

• Harvard Kennedy School

  Public Policy Analysis

• The Fletcher School at Tufts University

  Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, Gender Analysis and Conflict Resolution

  2014 — 2016

• New York University

  Prague, Czech Republic, Communism and the Cold War

  2006 — 2006

• Tufts University

  BA, International Relations

  2004 — 2008

• Yale University

  graduate coursework, Anthropology

  2008 — 2008

Skills

• Nonprofits
• Newsletters
• Policy Analysis
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Partnerships
• Foreign Policy
• Leadership
• Politics
• Social Media
• Social Media Marketing
• Non-Profits
• Fundraising
• Writing
• Branding & Identity
• Program Development
• Business Strategy
• Public Relations
• Research
• Entrepreneurship
• Gender Analysis
• International Relations
• Spanish
• Event Management
• Social Networking
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Business Development
• Public Speaking
• Strategy
• Management
• Blogging
• Diplomacy
• Grant Writing
• Proposal Writing
• Post-Conflict Development
• Start-Ups
• Content Development
• Personal Development
• Publishing
• Global Politics
• Public Policy