Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Samuelson.
Hi Carly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up watching my parents give back. My mother brought me along to deliver Meals on Wheels, my father has run countless marathons and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity, we worked as a family in our church Thrift Shop and Food Pantry when I was growing up, and we adopted a family in need every Christmas until I went to college. My family taught me selfless generosity, uplifting your community by giving back to your community, and helping when and how you can. And I’ve made it my career! I’ve been working on non-profit fundraising and development since 2000 after I graduated from the University of Maryland. I’ve worked at and with charities of all sizes, from the local to the national level, and I can’t even calculate the amount of money I’ve raised (but it has to be closing in on double-digit millions by now). It’s so impactful to see groups of passional individuals come together to raise life-saving funds for an incredible cause, and I’m thrilled to say I get to see it all the time! I truly love what I do.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
Not. My career path has been long and rocky. I’ve experienced extreme professional highs and been handed devastating professional blows. There have been times when I’ve wanted to throw in the towel and start my career in a new field. I’ve had to make tough choices, practice self-reflection, and believe my path will show me new opportunities.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in Austin, TX. My role is to stand beside the volunteers that work tirelessly with us to raise funds to support our mission. I build profitable relationships with groups of passionate individuals for the American Cancer Society, primarily through events. Here in Austin, I am honored to stand beside a group of young leaders as they lead their community in the fight against cancer. We put on an annual “party with a purpose,” Fork Cancer. Since the event started in 2021, we’ve raised $463,000 (and counting) to help the American Cancer Society end cancer as we know it for everyone through research, advocacy, and patient supports. I specialize in leading groups of volunteers toward achieving a goal. Meeting non-profit volunteers, learning the story of why they get involved, and guiding them to use their networks to benefit a mission is my favorite part of my job and why I continue to take on new challenges.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Some people are born with a natural skill for networking; I envy those people. From the outside, I look like one of those people. But networking has been challenging for me, ever. It used to feel awkward and forced. But as I grew in my self-confidence, it became easier, and I felt way more comfortable. I’ve had to push myself out of my comfort zone and lean into uncomfortable moments, but the rewards have been the best part of the hard work. I’ve met incredible people through networking. I’ve gotten almost every job I’ve had through a network connection. I’ve been connected to some incredible circles. And I’ve grown personally and professionally with every new connection made. As for advice on finding a mentor, I’ll keep it simple: Ask. If you see someone you want to learn from, ask them for their time. Make it honest and genuine, and come up with a goal of what you want to accomplish, but just a simple ask goes a long way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.acsforkcancer.org
- Instagram: @forkcanceratx, @carlitasam906
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelsonc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsonc/
Image Credits
@_j.views
