Samantha Cimino
Samantha Cimino, MBA, is a strategic marketing and branding specialist with over seven years of experience driving growth and connection across digital health, travel, and lifestyle brands. At SonarMD, she leads initiatives that elevate brand presence, enable sales and operations teams, and build meaningful relationships between patients, providers, and payers in gastroenterology care. Samantha excels at developing scalable content strategies, executing high-impact campaigns, and shaping narratives that increase awareness, generate leads, and accelerate platform adoption. Her expertise bridges marketing, communications, and operations, ensuring every initiative aligns with organizational goals and delivers measurable results. In addition to her work in healthcare, Samantha is a Certified Travel Advisor with Fora Travel, where she curates personalized travel experiences that inspire meaningful connections and cultural exploration. Drawing on her international business education and cross-cultural experience, she creates seamless, high-touch itineraries that meet the unique needs of individuals, families, and groups. Her approach combines logistical precision with creativity, ensuring memorable, transformative travel experiences for clients around the world. Samantha is also deeply committed to leadership and community engagement. She serves as President of the New York Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma, mentoring alumnae and overseeing programs that foster professional development, philanthropy, and meaningful connections. Additionally, she supports initiatives such as the Rugiero Promise Foundation, Reading Is Fundamental, and New York Cares leveraging her skills in planning, outreach, and communications to advance causes in health, education, and community development. Her dedication to people, purpose, and results defines her professional journey and impact.
• MBA, International Business, Management, Marketing
• BSBA - International Business, Marketing
• Certified Travel Advisor (FORA)
• Wayne State University – MBA, International Business, Management, Marketing
• The American University of Rome – Summer Study Abroad, Political Science and Government
• Audencia – Summer Study Abroad, International Marketing, Innovation, and Corporate Responsibility
• Bowling Green State University - BSBA, International Business, Marketing
• 2022 Detroit News and Free Press - Best of the Best Competition Award Winner
• Kappa Kappa Gamma
• Delta Sigma Pi
• Order of Omega
• National Italian American Foundation
• Rugiero Promise Foundation
• Reading Is Fundamental
• Kappa Kappa Gamma
• New York Cares
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of transformative experiences and strong role models throughout my career. Studying abroad in Italy and France broadened my perspective, deepened my cross-cultural understanding, and strengthened my adaptability - skills that have proven invaluable throughout my career. Equally influential has been my mother, whose remarkable career as a veteran and businesswoman in the pharmaceutical industry, and now with her own counseling practice, instilled in me the values of resilience, discipline, and strategic thinking. Her example taught me to lead with purpose, embrace challenges, and approach every opportunity with both grit and grace.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to “stay curious and stay flexible.” Early in my career, I learned that the path forward isn’t always linear - and that’s not a setback, it’s an advantage. Being open to unexpected opportunities, asking questions even when you think you should have the answers, and adapting to new challenges has allowed me to build a diverse career that spans healthcare, hospitality, and travel. The willingness to pivot and learn has been far more valuable than sticking rigidly to a predetermined plan.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: never stop asking questions, and persist until you find solutions. Curiosity and resilience will take you further than perfection ever will. Maintain a positive outlook even when faced with setbacks - those challenges are often where the most meaningful growth happens.
Seek out face-to-face interactions and build real relationships. In a world that’s increasingly digital, the ability to connect authentically and communicate with confidence will set you apart in ways that digital skills alone cannot. View failures not as endpoints, but as valuable lessons that refine your judgment and strengthen your capabilities.
Finally, invest in building strong networks, honing your soft skills, and gaining hands-on experience beyond the classroom. Technical knowledge opens doors, but emotional intelligence, adaptability, and real-world problem-solving are what help you thrive once you’re inside.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in digital health marketing right now is cutting through the noise. Healthcare is becoming increasingly crowded with platforms and solutions, and earning trust - especially from providers and payers - requires more than flashy campaigns. It demands credibility, clarity, and evidence-based storytelling that resonates with multiple stakeholders who have very different priorities and pain points. At the same time, this creates an incredible opportunity. Organizations that can humanize complex healthcare narratives, build authentic relationships, and demonstrate real-world impact will stand out. There’s also a growing recognition that patient outcomes improve when care is coordinated and communication is seamless, which means the work we do in marketing isn’t just about lead generation, it’s about improving lives. That’s what makes this field so meaningful and why I’m excited to be part of it.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are loyalty, respect, trust, service, mentorship, and impact. Loyalty means showing up consistently for the people and organizations I commit to. Respect and trust form the foundation of every meaningful relationship. I believe in honoring others’ perspectives and creating environments where people feel valued.
Service and mentorship drive my work. Whether I’m supporting healthcare teams at SonarMD, guiding young women through Kappa Kappa Gamma, or curating transformative travel experiences, I’m committed to helping others succeed and grow. Impact ties it all together - one of my personal mantras is to put good energy back into the world, because I believe it always comes back to you or the people you love. I’m motivated by work that creates meaningful change and leaves things better than I found them.