The Golden Heart Group

Sam joined WCF as President/CEO in March 2009. Sam’s career has many facets – congressional candidate, businesswoman, community leader, and now President of WCF.

In 2008, Sam ran one of the most successful challenger campaigns for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 15th district. A first time congressional candidate, she garnered national attention with her fundraising skills and won the endorsements of several national organizations including: the Women’s Campaign Forum, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and EMILY’s list. Though ultimately losing her race to incumbent Charles Dent, she obtained more votes than any other Democratic candidate in the district’s history.

Sam first ran for political office in 2001, when she nearly defeated long-time state senator Roy Afflerbach in the Allentown mayoral race – losing by only 46 votes. In addition to her political pursuits, she also currently serves as the Statewide Director and CEO of Properties of Merit of PA, Inc., a non-profit organization that works to spur citizen involvement and “bottom-up” private and public investment in the critical work of revitalizing communities.

Now a 20-year resident of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Sam is married to a computer professional and has three children; a seven-year-old son, and two college-age daughters.

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