Sidoney Samuels ’97
An Elizabethtown College education is for people who feel the pull to contribute to the world. With a network of 24,425 living alumni, our graduates leave Etown to become the influential advocates and changemakers the world needs more of.
Meet Sidoney Samuels ’97, a Communications alumna who currently serves as the Director of Employee Engagement, North America R&D for AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Md. Samuels is passionate about giving back to her community as well as helping make a difference in the lives of the next generation, serving as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Montgomery County.
In 2020, Samuels published her memoir, “Pain To Purpose: My Journey to Redemption,” where she shares personal and professional life experiences with readers and explains how she developed self-improvement through overcoming setbacks.
“Pain is something that we all experience and how we handle pain can make or break an individual,” Samuels said. “This book shares how I navigated pain and more importantly the steps I took to overcome pain and become a better version of myself. My hope is that my transparency, practical advice, and can-do attitude will help people experiencing pain in so many of life’s challenging moments.”
What defined your Etown experience?
My experience at Etown allowed me to explore who I was and where I wanted to go. In addition, I was also able to learn from some phenomenal faculty members.
How has your Etown degree benefitted you and your career success?
My education at Etown gave me the foundation to build my career. The practical experiences I obtained from working in the Public Relations Department and working for the newspaper, the TV station, and the radio station were pivotal to the choices I made in my career.
How have you made a difference in the lives of others through your career and/or personal life?
I make a difference in the lives of many professionals in and out of my organization by serving as a mentor to help guide their careers. I have a passion for the next generation, and I also serve as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Montgomery County.
What is your passion? Where do you place your energy besides your career?
I’m passionate about people and helping others so volunteering is something that I do in both my professional and personal life. I love to write, and I spend time in my personal life writing. I’ve published one book and I hope to have more in the future.
View more Etown Changemakers at etown.edu/125.