Samantha Carlson is the director of research at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, where she engages and supports diverse individuals and groups in ways that are meaningful, inclusive, and accessible, with the goal of making research relatable to all. She oversees the patient and caregiver lived experience expert (LEE) advisory panels, LEE Research Advisory Council, impact reporting, and community partnerships. She has been part of the inheritable blood and bleeding disorder community since 2009, serving as a clinical social worker and director of social services through her local HTC for ten years. She is a speaker for various chapters and organizations on aging, psychosocial care with serious illnesses, volunteer management, pain management, and person-centered care. Prior to joining NBDF in 2021, she served as the area agency on aging director and the COVID-19 pandemic response incident command planning section chief for Kalamazoo County. Samantha is a licensed Master of Social Work, practicing in southwest Michigan since 1998, with a past certification in interdisciplinary care, neurological injuries, oncology, palliative care, and mixed methods research.