Samantha McKee
Where cultural understanding meets strategic marketing
The Path to Purpose
Most marketing professionals follow a linear path. Mine took a different route—one that taught me how to truly understand the people behind the metrics.
Thirteen years in operations at Starbucks wasn't just about managing P&L and developing teams. It was a masterclass in cultural competency, community building, and the operational rigor required to deliver consistent experiences at scale. Managing 150+ staff across multiple locations taught me that authentic connection drives business results.
My anthropology degree formalized what I'd been practicing all along—understanding cultural nuances, identifying unmet needs, and building bridges between diverse communities. When I moved into healthcare at Sarasota Memorial, then into DEI-focused community outreach at Tidewell Hospice, the pieces aligned: I could apply operational excellence and cultural understanding to make healthcare more accessible and equitable.
Now, as Brand Strategist at Empath Health, I bring it all together. The operational backbone means I understand how marketing drives business outcomes. The anthropological lens ensures campaigns resonate authentically across diverse audiences. The community relationships mean I know what matters beyond the data.
This isn't just marketing. It's mission-driven strategy grounded in genuine human understanding.
What I Bring
15+ years of experience organized by impact, not job titles
Brand Strategy & Marketing Excellence
Currently elevating Empath Health's brand presence across multiple regional hospice services through strategic storytelling and integrated marketing campaigns. Spearheaded Camp Blue Butterfly rebrand and led website migration strategy.
- ▸Pitched 10+ stories to local media outlets as primary liaison between stakeholders and external PR team, significantly increasing brand visibility across service regions
- ▸Developed centralized project management system to streamline cross-functional workflows and improve organizational efficiency
- ▸Created culturally relevant marketing materials for diverse populations, driving market recognition and community engagement
Philanthropic Strategy & Donor Relations
As Grateful Families Philanthropy Advisor, exceeded $5M annual fundraising goal in Q2 of FY24 through relationship cultivation and strategic campaign development.
- ▸Introduced DEI&B concepts to improve philanthropic outreach and modify memorial-giving approaches, resulting in more inclusive donor engagement
- ▸Led communications and fundraising initiatives that significantly increased charitable donations through program redesign and strategic planning
- ▸Served as critical liaison between clinical teams and foundation, building major donor relationships while maintaining CRM systems (Blackbaud & Salesforce)
Community Engagement & DEI Leadership
Led outreach and community programming across two-county territory, reporting directly to VP of DEI. Developed strategic initiatives focused on minority health outcomes and improving access to care for underserved populations.
- ▸Spearheaded community engagement strategy through event planning, educational programming, and brand-building initiatives that enhanced market recognition
- ▸Managed high-risk stakeholder relationships and maintained CRM systems to track outreach effectiveness and community impact
- ▸Contributed directly to organizational growth objectives through culturally competent programming and market expansion strategies
Operational Excellence & Leadership
Built foundational leadership and operational skills through 13 years at Starbucks, progressing from Shift Supervisor to Store Manager-Trainer managing multi-location operations with $3.8M+ in annual sales.
- ▸Managed complete employee lifecycle for 150+ staff members, recruited and developed 200+ employees through district hiring initiatives
- ▸Championed community engagement through regional nonprofit partnerships while serving on corporate Belonging Committee and Women's Network
- ▸Oversaw P&L performance, OKRs, and budget management while driving inclusive workplace culture and external stakeholder relationships
Education & Recognition
Education
Master of Business Administration
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
April 2024
Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
University of Florida
December 2021 • Cum Laude
Alpha Lambda – National Anthropology Honors Society
Undergraduate Certificate
Medical Anthropology
University of Florida, December 2021
Professional Development
Recent Certifications
- • Google Project Management Professional (2024)
- • Raiser's Edge NXT Fundamentals, Blackbaud (2023)
- • DEI in the Workplace, University of South Florida (2022)
- • Advance Care Planner (ACP), Respecting Choices (2022)
- • Florida Notary Public
Leadership & Community
- • Lead From Everywhere 2024 Cohort, Empath Health
- • 2024 Make an Impact Award, Winner
- • Colleague Champion Council, Recognition Committee Co-chair (2024-2025)
- • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Committee Co-Chair, American Cancer Society
- • National Cancer Survivor's Day Committee, Cancer Resource Network
- • Former Vice President, Sarasota County Senior Advocacy Council
- • Community Health Action Team, Sarasota County DOH