Meet Samantha Carroll

We recently connected with Samantha Carroll and have shared our conversation below.

Samantha, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have been able to lean into my strengths and passions – communication and collaboration. Being able to tap into what I know how to do well has definitely given me a deeper sense of purpose, and it is that purpose that has enabled me to gain recognition, build rich connections, and cultivate a stronger sense of confidence in my professional pathways.

Confidence is a tricky concept – even when we receive accolades, great reviews, or meaningful testimonials, we can still hold on to self-doubt. My professional confidence stems from both corporate and industry peer-reviewed recognition, but it also stems from the feedback heard after a transformative conversation that Light Her Way has hosted or a personal email sent from a client. I’ve also worked hard to push myself into moments of discomfort, knowing that it would, ultimately, allow me to stretch my abilities and help me achieve the next level of growth.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Light Her Way, we create transformative spaces where ambitious professionals can navigate what’s next — whether that’s stepping into a new role, preparing for board service, or simply activating confidence in the role they already hold.

What’s special about this work is that it’s not about traditional professional development. It’s about meaningful conversation — the kind that shifts how executives see themselves and the possibilities available to them. We routinely bring together women who are leading in their fields, but also seeking connection, perspective, and purpose beyond their titles. Those shared moments of insight and community are where we tend to see real growth. By curating spaces around common goals, we are also able to activate relationships that can lead to future board sponsorships or professional opportunities.

Our approach combines intimate, thoughtful experiences with strategic partnerships that open new doors. Every event we host — from monthly, Zoom sessions to our recent San Francisco Tech Week Coffee Chat — is designed to uncover deeper layers of dialogue and build pathways that lead to transformation.

What excites me most right now is seeing how much energy there is around women redefining what leadership looks like — not as a destination, but as a shared journey. Light Her Way is about holding space for that evolution and helping professionals step forward with both ambition and personal authenticity.

We are proud to offer our next cohort of Board of AdviseHERS, our women’s board readiness program, starting January 2026. We’ve been honored to build this network of past graduates with experience at companies like Google, Apple, Intuit MailChimp, Conde Nast, eBay, FHI360, and so many others, preparing for their first or next board role. Our applications just opened, so women who are board curious, looking to expand their network of board members, and/or seeking to shift from one board to other opportunities can apply directly through https://lightherway.my.canva.site.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

It’s an interesting time in our history as AI is rapidly changing the landscape of so many industries, but it’s also a perfect reminder of the skills that have gotten me to this point in my journey and how relevant they become in times of great change and uncertainty – resiliency, communication, and relationship-building.

We still don’t know many of AI’s opportunities and implications on how and what we do for a living, but there seems to be consensus around the fact that it can’t replicate the trust-building and human attributes of connection that have long rewarded me with the kinds of community connections that have fostered my development. So, my advice for others is to hone the skills that humans rely on most deeply – the ones that aren’t easily replicated: the ability to strive for greater things, the drive that comes from a resilient mindset, and the skill of relating to one another authentically and with impact.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Partnerships are the cornerstone of our programs, and we are always looking for interesting collaborative opportunities. One of the ways we support in-house teams is through our corporate coaching programs that focus on unlocking innovation in teams and preparing them to be future-ready. If you work within a corporate setting, you can reach out directly at [email protected].

We also collaborate with women’s communities both in corporate settings and through affiliation groups like alumni circles or nonprofit associations. If you are interested in collaboration opportunities for upcoming events or panels, please reach out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lightherway.my.canva.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_lightherway
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightherway
• Other: Join our free Mighty Networks community at: https://light-her-way.mn.co/users/onboarding/choose_plan?plan_id=2113116&bundle_token=8784201a5f25712754adfdc59c9d6639&prefer_signup=true&utm_source=manual

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Image Credits

Sari Blum Photography