Samantha Porter

Samantha Porter is the Community Engagement Advisor and Outreach Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, a position she has held since July 2020. In this role, she focuses on promoting economic growth and improving access to opportunities in low- and moderate-income communities throughout the Third District. Her work involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including bankers, government officials, and community leaders, to enhance community development initiatives and ensure fair access to credit in underserved markets.12

Samantha's career path shifted towards public service and community development after her exposure to the Harlem Children’s Zone's work through the book Whatever It Takes. This inspiration led her to pursue a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining the Federal Reserve Bank, she worked for the City of Philadelphia, where she led initiatives aimed at increasing equity and reducing poverty, notably the West Philadelphia Promise Zone initiative. She also has experience in disaster recovery, having supported Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts in New Jersey.123

In addition to her role at the Federal Reserve, Samantha serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Temple University, where she teaches courses related to disaster recovery and community planning.2 She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and German from Temple University.12