Samantha Lopez
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Mission-driven nonprofit executive with more than twenty years of progressive leadership advancing behavioral health, harm reduction, HIV services, and community-based care for individuals impacted by substance use, incarceration, and systemic inequity. Brings deep experience stewarding organizations through leadership transition, funding shifts, and program evolution while maintaining service continuity, fiscal responsibility, and a strong, values-aligned culture. Demonstrated ability to partner closely with boards of directors, funders, and public sector stakeholders to strengthen sustainability, expand impact, and uphold accountability to mission and community. Leads with empathy, transparency, and cultural humility, fostering client-centered and strength-based environments where staff are supported and individuals are met exactly where they are.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Exponents, Inc.
11.2014 - Current
- Organization-Wide Operational Leadership Across Programs: Drive operational strategy across clinical services, development, data management, quality assurance, and facilities, ensuring alignment with mission, regulatory requirements, and long-term organizational sustainability.
- Funding Stewardship And Revenue Sustainability: Partner with executive leadership and funders to secure, manage, and retain public and private funding relationships, ensuring contractual performance and fiscal accountability.
- Program Development And Expansion Leadership: Lead the design and launch of new service models and initiatives during proposal development, aligning programs with evolving funder priorities and community needs.
- External Relations And Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the organization with government agencies, coalitions, and community partners, sustaining trusted relationships that support funding continuity and mission visibility.
- Organizational Brand Identity And Marketing Leadership: Lead organization-wide brand identity initiatives, including two full redesign cycles, and direct the organization’s first external marketing campaign in its 37-year history, supported by $35,000 in New York State funding and deployed across 20 subway stations.
- Leadership Development And Performance Oversight: Guide program directors through performance management, professional development, and accountability practices that strengthen leadership capacity.
Chief Administrative Officer
Exponents, Inc.
10.2007 - 10.2014
- Government Contract And Compliance Oversight: Oversaw complex funding agreements with federal, state, and city agencies, ensuring regulatory compliance, reporting accuracy, and contract performance.
- Financial Reporting And Budget Support: Prepared and analyzed monthly financial reports, supported budget development, and contributed to executive decision-making related to resource allocation and operational planning.
- Technology And Process Improvement Leadership: Led cross-functional technology initiatives that strengthened data integrity, reporting efficiency, and internal communication.
- Performance Measurement And Quality Improvement: Analyzed operational data and established performance indicators to support continuous improvement and corrective action planning.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration And Change Management: Partnered with fiscal, programmatic, and administrative leaders to implement procedures and systems supporting organizational growth and compliance.
- Agency Relocation, Licensure, And Risk Management: Lead cross-functional initiatives including agency relocation, licensure, and recredentialing, coordinating legal, brokerage, and construction partners.
Director of Development & Contracts
Exponents, Inc.
11.2000 - 10.2007
- $40 Million Grant And Contract Revenue Leadership: Led funding strategy and execution resulting in more than $40 million secured from federal, state, city, and private sources over a 15-year period.
- Funding Strategy And Opportunity Development: Identified and advanced funding and service opportunities aligned with organizational mission and strategic priorities.
- Funder Relationship And Contract Management: Managed ongoing relationships with public and private funders, overseeing renewals, modifications, and performance reviews.
- Data Systems And Reporting Oversight: Directed data systems responsible for federal reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness.
- Team And Consultant Supervision: Supervised internal staff and external consultants supporting grant writing, fundraising, data management, and marketing efforts.
- Donor And Stakeholder Engagement: Maintained consistent, professional communication with individual donors, foundations, and partners, supporting fundraising integrity and trust.
Program Coordinator
Public Health Solutions (HIV CARE Services)
08.1994 - 11.2000
- $13 Million Provider Portfolio Oversight: Managed technical assistance and contract performance for a portfolio of federally funded service providers totaling more than $13 million.
- Provider Support And Capacity Building: Supported hospitals, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in improving service delivery, compliance, and program effectiveness.
- Contract Monitoring And Corrective Action Support: Evaluated contract performance, identified deficiencies, and guided corrective actions to ensure appropriate use of public funds.
Assistant Director, Program Development
Elmhurst Hospital Center, HHC
01.1992 - 07.1994
- $1.1 Million Grant Portfolio Coordination: Coordinated Ryan White Title I and MHRA-funded programs with combined budgets exceeding $1.1 million.
- Grant Development And Program Planning Support: Authored and supported successful funding proposals for state and philanthropic sources.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
New York University
New York, NYMaster of Arts - Clinical Psychology
New York University
New York, NYSkills
- Revenue Development And Funding Stewardship: Grant And Contract Development, Revenue Sustainability, Funding Diversification, Funder Relationship Management, Renewal Strategy, Financial Accountability
- Board, Funder, And Community Stakeholder Engagement: Board Partnership, Government And Foundation Relations, Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration, Coalition Building, Advocacy And Consensus Building
- Nonprofit Operations And Financial Oversight: Budget Oversight, Program Portfolio Management, Financial Stewardship, Compliance And Risk Management, Performance-Based Funding Models, Operational Sustainability
- Program Development And Service Delivery Excellence: Program Design And Launch, Service Model Development, Outcome Measurement, Quality Assurance Practices, Regulatory Alignment, Curriculum Development
- Organizational Leadership And Systems Strengthening: Change Leadership, Cross-Department Collaboration, Process Improvement, Technology Support For Operations, Data-Informed Decision Making
Accomplishments
- $40M+ Institutional Funding Stewardship: Secured and stewarded more than $40 million in combined federal, state, city, and private funding over 15 years, supporting long-term organizational stability and mission delivery.
- Flagship Program Transition And Continuity: Led the redesign and funding transition of a long-standing program following the conclusion of 34 years of federal support, preserving service access and quality of care.
- $13M+ Program Portfolio And $4M Organizational Budget Oversight: Provided senior leadership oversight for multi-program operations serving diverse communities, including responsibility for portfolios exceeding $13 million and annual organizational budgets of $4 million.
- State-Funded External Marketing And Public Awareness Leadership: Conceived and led the organization’s first external marketing campaign in its 37-year history, supported by $35,000 in New York State funding and deployed across 20 subway stations to elevate public awareness and mission visibility.
- Outpatient Program Growth To Largest Scale Since 1998: Guided outpatient services to their highest operating budget and client census since program inception through strategic leadership and operational alignment.
- State-Funded Program Development And Curriculum Leadership: Secured start-up funding from OASAS and directed curriculum development for an innovative harm reduction and pre-treatment intervention.
Affiliations
- HIV CARE Services | Board Member
- FITA | Board Member
- Association for Fundraising Professionals | Member
- Association for Substance Abuse Providers | Member and Presenter
- Council for Behavioral Health Organizations | Member
- InUnity Alliance | Member and Presenter
- New York State Harm Reduction Association | Member and Presenter
LANGUAGES
English: Native
Spanish: Professional Working Proficiency
Timeline
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Exponents, Inc.
11.2014 - Current
Chief Administrative Officer
Exponents, Inc.
10.2007 - 10.2014
Director of Development & Contracts
Exponents, Inc.
11.2000 - 10.2007
Program Coordinator
Public Health Solutions (HIV CARE Services)
08.1994 - 11.2000
Assistant Director, Program Development
Elmhurst Hospital Center, HHC
01.1992 - 07.1994
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
New York University
Bachelor of Arts - English
New York University