Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Publications
Presentations And Workshops
Timeline
Teacher
Farah Samti
Open To Work

Farah Samti

Marysville,WA

Summary

Dynamic communications leader specializing in translating intricate policies into clear, impactful messaging. I successfully increased engagement for national advocacy initiatives and directed high-profile events, fostering key relationships and aligning stakeholders with organizational goals through strategic collaboration.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Communications and Marketing Project Manager

National Head Start Association
09.2022 - 05.2026
  • Managed cross-functional communications campaigns, aligning messaging across departments to support organizational goals.
  • Led strategic communications for national advocacy initiatives, increasing awareness and engagement for children and families.
  • Directed communications for high-profile conferences and events, enhancing visibility and fostering key relationships.
  • Partnered with executive leadership on messaging and organizational priorities.
  • Developed executive messaging, speeches, and stakeholder communications.

Senior Communications and Media Relations Officer

USAID-TADEEM
02.2019 - 02.2021
  • Led strategic communications for a USAID-funded governance program supporting democratic development and local government initiatives in Tunisia.
  • Directed media relations, press outreach, and public affairs efforts, strengthening relationships with local and international media.
  • Partnered with project leadership, government institutions, international donors, and civil society organizations to create targeted communications strategies that unified stakeholder messaging.
  • Crafted executive messaging, speeches, talking points, press materials, feature stories, and stakeholder communications that effectively conveyed program priorities.
  • Managed cross-functional communications initiatives, translating complex governance and policy issues into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences.
  • Coordinated communications for high-profile events, workshops, and public engagement initiatives, enhancing visibility and participation from government officials, international partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Designed and delivered communications and media relations training for municipal leaders, government representatives, and project partners.

Tunisia Correspondent

Foreign Policy
07.2015 - 08.2016

Reported on politics, human rights, and democratic transition in Tunisia post-Arab Spring, providing insights into evolving socio-political landscape.

  • Crafted articles analyzing complex geopolitical issues for diverse audiences.
  • Conducted interviews with key figures to gather insights and perspectives.
  • Researched global political developments impacting international relations and policy.

Reporter

The New York Times
07.2015 - 08.2016

Reported on politics, human rights, constitution drafting, and democratic transition in Tunisia, delivering in-depth analysis and insights.

  • Conducted interviews with sources to gather information for news articles.
  • Researched current events and trends for accurate reporting and analysis.
  • Collaborated with editors to refine story angles and improve clarity.

Consultant/Project Coordinator

Strategic Capacity Group
09.2014 - 02.2015

Researched border security and internal security reform, coordinated workshops with international partners to align strategies, and collaborated with local and national stakeholders to enhance security initiatives.

  • Analyzed client needs to develop tailored strategic solutions.
  • Facilitated workshops to enhance team collaboration and communication.
  • Developed comprehensive reports to support decision-making processes.

Consultant/Project Coordinator

United States Institute for Peace
02.2014 - 06.2014

Led strategic planning sessions to align organizational goals with client needs.

  • Developed comprehensive reports analyzing client operations and recommending improvements.
  • Coordinated with local and international partners to implement security sector reform initiatives, enhancing collaboration and effectiveness.
  • Facilitated workshops to enhance team collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Writer/Editor

Tunisia Live
10.2011 - 01.2014

Reported on Tunisia's post-Arab Spring transition, drafted and edited articles in English to inform international audiences, managed social media channels to enhance engagement, produced news videos to visually narrate events, and translated and led interviews to provide diverse perspectives.

  • Researched and wrote articles on current events in Tunisia.
  • Conducted interviews to capture diverse perspectives from various stakeholders. with local experts and community members.
  • Edited submissions for clarity, grammar, and adherence to style guidelines.

Education

MA - International Studies

University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
01-2018

Bachelor of Arts - English

Université De La Manouba
Manouba, Tunisia
01-2010

Certificate - Italian Language

University of Manouba
Tunis, Tunisia
01-2010

Skills

  • Strategic Communications
  • Executive Communications
  • Media Relations
  • Public Affairs
  • Advocacy Communications
  • Executive Messaging
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Program and Project Management
  • Executive Briefings
  • Strategic Storytelling
  • Narrative Creation
  • Journalism
  • Internal Communications

Languages

  • Arabic, Native
  • French, Fluent
  • English, Fluent
  • Italian, Basic
  • Chinese, Basic

Publications

  • "Body and Gender Politics in Post-Uprising Tunisia (2011-2018)", MA Thesis, University of Oregon, 2018
  • "In Tunisia, a New Reconciliation Law Stokes Protest and Conflict Instead", Foreign Policy, 2015
  • "Tunisia's New Anti-Terrorism Law Worries Activists", Foreign Policy, 2015
  • "Tunisian Gunman Showed Subtle Signs of Radicalization", Foreign Policy, 2015
  • "More Freedom More Problems", Foreign Policy, 2015
  • "Getting Out the Female Vote", Foreign Policy, 2014
  • "Denied New Government, Tunisian Premier Resigns", The New York Times, 2013

Presentations And Workshops

  • 22nd African Union Summit, 2014, Participated in the African editors and journalists training
  • Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy, 2013, Spoke on transitional justice and security reform in Tunisia
  • 2013 Lisbon Forum, 2013, Spoke on women's rights in Arab Spring countries
  • "Google Tools for News-Gathering and Reporting Across Cultures", 2013, Participated in a Digital Journalism Bootcamp hosted by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and Google

Timeline

Senior Communications and Marketing Project Manager

National Head Start Association
09.2022 - 05.2026

Senior Communications and Media Relations Officer

USAID-TADEEM
02.2019 - 02.2021

Tunisia Correspondent

Foreign Policy
07.2015 - 08.2016

Reporter

The New York Times
07.2015 - 08.2016

Consultant/Project Coordinator

Strategic Capacity Group
09.2014 - 02.2015

Consultant/Project Coordinator

United States Institute for Peace
02.2014 - 06.2014

Writer/Editor

Tunisia Live
10.2011 - 01.2014

MA - International Studies

University of Oregon

Bachelor of Arts - English

Université De La Manouba

Certificate - Italian Language

University of Manouba
Farah Samti