Her Story
About Samantha
Samantha Thompsen is a Los Angeles-based entertainment professional with over eight years of experience at Fox Entertainment, where she has built a distinguished career in talent relations. A proud alumna of Humboldt State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a minor in Ethnic Studies, Samantha's path to entertainment was anything but conventional. She began her career as a substitute teacher before discovering her passion for the fast-paced world of production through early work as a production assistant on set. That spark led her to Fox, where she steadily climbed the ranks from assistant to coordinator, senior coordinator, and most recently to her current role as Manager of Talent Relations — a position she has held since early 2025.
In her role, Samantha leads a wide range of initiatives designed to make talent feel genuinely valued and supported. Her responsibilities span thoughtful gifting campaigns reaching over 370 recipients, logistics coordination for events and food trucks on production, overseeing Make-A-Wish visits, managing department finances, and supervising interns. One of her most notable contributions has been the development of Roster.fox, a Salesforce-based talent management system that centralizes profiles and preferences to streamline how her team engages with on-air talent. Her dedication and ability to rise to the occasion even during periods of understaffing earned her Fox's prestigious Spotlight Award in January 2026 — a recognition that speaks to both her professionalism and her commitment to excellence.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Samantha is deeply rooted in her community and personal values. She volunteers with the kids program at Royal City Church and remains passionate about giving back, a thread that runs consistently through both her career and her personal life. She credits her parents for instilling in her the work ethic and drive that have fueled her growth, and she carries that foundation into everything she does — whether she is mentoring the next generation of entertainment professionals or spending time with her young daughter. Guided by honesty, compassion, and a genuine love for her work, Samantha Thompsen continues to be a thoughtful and impactful force within the entertainment industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Samantha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents, who gave me unconditional love and support and instilled in me a strong work ethic and the drive to succeed. I also credit my curiosity, my commitment to continual learning, and the guidance of key mentors throughout my career who helped shape who I am as a professional.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to always find a way to add value in whatever room you're in. I was also encouraged to remove excess emotion from challenging situations at work, treat mistakes as learning opportunities, and never hesitate to speak up and contribute when given a seat at the table.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Identify where you want to be and get clear on the specific skill you bring to the table, then find every opportunity to expand on it and add value. Be intentional about building genuine connections — join groups, attend mixers, and put yourself in the spaces where you want to work. Make yourself visible both in person and online, and pay close attention to the details, even something as small as errors on a resume can cost you an opportunity.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is the oversaturation of content and figuring out how to break through the noise across so many platforms. At the same time, there is real opportunity in partnering with creators and influencers, experimenting with new formats, and deepening talent relationships through curated experiences and meaningful perks.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, compassion, and respect are at the core of everything I do. I also believe in staying present and holding onto joy — both in my work and in my personal life. Keeping that passion alive is something I'm very intentional about.
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