Samantha Mariano (she/her) serves as the Assistant Project Manager for CPLAN, where she provides comprehensive administrative, logistical, and technical support, while also overseeing our team of community organizers. Her dynamic role involves collaborating with the team to develop innovative marketing and outreach strategies, utilizing our website, social media platforms, and monthly email newsletter to engage with families and communities.

Driven by a deep sense of social justice, Samantha is fueled by the inequities she has witnessed in the education, mental health, and criminal justice systems. Samantha's passion for creating inclusive educational environments was ignited by a deeply personal experience - her younger sister's journey with mental health conditions. She witnessed firsthand the challenges that traditional education systems can pose for individuals with diverse learning needs, as her sister struggled to balance her mental well-being with the rigid expectations of her teachers during high school. Samantha's mother tirelessly advocated for her sister, ensuring that graduated with her diploma, despite the school's lack of understanding about how mental illness can impact students in the classroom.

Now, five years after graduating from an alternative high school, Samantha's sister is thriving. This experience has further strengthened Samantha's resolve to challenge outdated teaching practices that fail to acknowledge individual differences and unique talents of each student. 

She is passionate about pushing for thoughtful and intentional solutions that actively involve those affected, ensuring that diverse perspectives are recognized and embraced. Samantha's unwavering hope is that society will one day fully understand the value of diversity in all its forms, and embrace the unique perspectives of every individual.