Samantha joined the University of Georgia Office of Government Relations in Washington, DC, first as the Federal Government Relations Assistant and then as the Assistant Director of Federal Relations. Within these positions, she worked closely with the Director of Federal Relations in executing the university’s priorities with the federal government and served as the university’s liaison with Congress, federal departments, agencies, higher education associations, and advocacy groups. After five and a half years of lobbying for her alma mater, she joined the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network as their Director of Federal Affairs, Appropriations, and National Coalitions for RAINN. She was solely responsible for RAINN’s entire federal portfolio which included advocating for appropriations, creating legislation, and enhancing existing federal statutes to address sexual exploitation and aid survivors. During this time, she worked with Congress, federal agencies, and the White House in addressing sexual violence, sexual harassment, and child sexual abuse and exploitation.