Samantha S. Ventura
SVP Education, Learning
Indianapolis,IN
Summary
Respected Indiana leader and former Senior Vice President with 20+ years of experience driving equity-centered education, statewide coaching initiatives, and workforce innovation. Expert at leading global, cross-functional teams to design and scale education-to-career pathways that deliver high-quality, learner-centered guidance at scale. Proven record of forging strategic partnerships with state agencies, K-12 systems, higher education, and nonprofit organizations to advance economic mobility and postsecondary success. Recognized for visionary leadership, measurable impact, and unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity for all learners.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President, Education and Training
CEDIA
Indianapolis
06.2018 - 11.2021
- Directed global education strategy, building scalable, equity-centered programs that connected learners to high-demand career pathways.
- Oversaw coaching and mentoring initiatives for adult learners worldwide, designed credential-based pathways, and integrated tech-enabled tools to enhance workforce readiness.
- Forged cross-sector partnerships with higher education, workforce boards, state agencies, and industry leaders to align training with labor market needs.
- Launched Workforce Development Department delivering holistic coaching at scale.
- Developed global curriculum, translation, and localization for multi-region delivery.
- Built data dashboards to track adoption, learner success, and impact.
- Secured corporate partnerships, in-kind donations, and funding to expand reach.
- Served as frequent keynote speaker and contributor to global publications on leadership, skilled trades, equity, coaching, and workforce innovation.
Adjunct English & Humanities Professor
Indiana University
Indianapolis
01.2007 - 01.2021
- Delivered writing and communication courses integrating advocacy, service-learning, and real-world application.
- Designed civic writing projects with community partners.
- Mentored graduate students and teacher candidates in inclusive pedagogy.
- Volunteered in literacy programs for first-generation and underrepresented learners.
Senior Director of Education
CEDIA
Indianapolis
02.2018 - 06.2018
- Led curriculum development, training strategy, and instructional design for international programs, focusing on accessibility, workforce alignment, and measurable learner outcomes.
- Oversaw instructional teams delivering technical, leadership, and soft skills training globally.
- Integrated assessment tools to measure program adoption and efficacy.
- Forged partnerships with industry and education stakeholders to expand reach.
Vice President, Operations & Learning Initiatives
DevOps Library
Indianapolis
08.2014 - 02.2017
- Developed global learning and coaching frameworks to connect underrepresented tech talent with meaningful employment.
- Integrated mentoring, tech-enabled navigation tools, and employer partnerships to strengthen workforce pipelines.
- Designed scalable, learner-centered training aligned to industry demand.
- Delivered keynotes and authored thought leadership on coaching innovation.
- Built partnerships to drive adoption of equitable, tech-driven training.
Senior Content & Development Specialist
HighPoint Global
Indianapolis
08.2012 - 02.2015
- Directed coaching-based leadership and service training for federal agencies to improve service quality and learner outcomes.
- Created national curricula and performance assessments.
- Applied data to enhance program design and delivery.
- Embedded learner-centered practices into public sector training.
Director, Reading is Fundamental & Senior Grant Consultant
Indiana Department of Education
Indianapolis
08.2007 - 06.2011
- Led statewide literacy, equity, and family engagement initiatives to expand K–12 access, especially for multilingual and underserved communities.
- Established Indiana’s first parent outreach program for non-English speakers, aligning education and workforce pathways.
- Delivered PD to educators in ten districts on career navigation and readiness.
- Managed multi-million-dollar budget, compliance, and policy alignment.
- Represented Indiana in national literacy and career readiness forums.
- Partnered with policymakers and nonprofits to scale evidence-based models.
Senior Instructional Designer, Adult Learning Specialist
McGraw-Hill Education
Indianapolis
03.2007 - 12.2009
- Led the design and implementation of online courses for developmental writing programs, focusing on curriculum accessibility and inclusive adult learning.
- Developed standards-aligned instructional content tailored for nontraditional students, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), first-generation college students, and multilingual learners.
- Designed and delivered educator training nationwide, focusing on literacy, instructional technology, and standards alignment.
- Supported districts in implementing evidence-based instructional programs.
- Provided coaching and follow-up to ensure fidelity and impact.
Director of Outreach, Alumni Programs & English Initiatives
Southwestern Community College
San Diego
08.2002 - 08.2004
- Championed inclusive educational advancement by leading alumni outreach and English initiatives with a strong emphasis on underserved communities—including migrant families, multilingual learners, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- Managed community outreach and education initiatives for K–12 and adult learners, emphasizing equity, parent engagement, and career readiness.
- Built partnerships with nonprofits and workforce agencies to align resources.
- Developed training materials for educators and family engagement workshops.
Education
PhD - Organizational Leadership
Indiana Wesleyan University
01.2026
MA.T - Teaching, Reading Specialization
San Diego State University
BA - English (British Literature)
San Diego State University
Certificate - Nonprofit Fundraising Strategy
IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Executive Certificate - Nonprofit Fund Development
University of Notre Dame
Certificate - Leadership Coaching and Strategic Talent Development
Georgetown University
Skills
- Strategic Systems Leadership
- Financial management
- Recruiting and hiring
- KPI tracking
- Statewide Program Development and Implementation
- Education-to-Career Pathways Design
- Cross-Sector Partnership Development
- Grant Strategy and Compliance
- Workforce Alignment and Career Navigation
- Postsecondary Access Expansion
- DEIB Program Architecture
- Organizational Culture and Change Management
- Policy Advocacy
- Staff Development and Coaching
- Board Governance
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Technology Integration for Scalable Learning
Affiliations
- Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), 2017–Present
- Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, 2016–Present
- National Council of Nonprofits, 2016–Present
- American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), 2012–Present
- Mentoring Women’s Network, 2014–Present
- American Association of University Professors, 2014–Present
- International Leadership Association, 2012–Present
- American Association of School Administrators (AASA), 2011–Present
- International Reading Association, 2011–Present
- National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE), 2008–2011
Websites
Industry Publications Media Awards
- Meet the Pro AV Power 20: Samantha Ventura, No. 12, Installation International, https://www.installation-international.com/people/meet-the-pro-av-power-20-samantha-ventura-no-12
- Installation Magazine – February 2021 Edition (pages 58–59), https://www.installation-international.com/business/installation-magazine/february-2021-edition-of-installation
- Educating Beyond 2020: Thoughts from the Coalface, Installation International, https://www.installation-international.com/business/training/educating-beyond-2020-thoughts-from-the-coalface
- The Importance of Soft Skills, Residential Systems, https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/cedialine-the-importance-of-soft-skills
- The Need for Diversity in Education, Residential Systems, https://www.residentialsystems.com/blogs/the-need-for-diversity-in-education
- The New CEDIA Outreach Instructor Training Course, Residential Systems, https://www.residentialsystems.com/events/trade-events/the-new-cedia-outreach-instructor-training-course
- Azione Unlimited Reflects on Its First-Ever Virtual Conference, Residential Systems, https://www.residentialsystems.com/events/trade-events/azione-unlimited-reflects-on-its-first-ever-virtual-conference
- Learning Sensu, O’Reilly Media, https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/learning-sensu/9781771375139/
- Samantha Ventura to Leave CEDIA, Residential Systems, https://www.residentialsystems.com/news/samantha-ventura-to-leave-cedia
- Interview – ResTech Today, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDn0DYnI22w
- Skilled Trades: A Call to Action, CEDIA, https://cedia.net/news-knowledge/content-hub/news-detail/cedia-news/2020/11/17/skilled-trades-a-call-to-action
- Leading with Emotional Intelligence, CEDIA, https://cedia.net/news-knowledge/content-hub/news-detail/cedia-news/2020/11/11/leading-with-emotional-intelligence
- Reflect More to Worry Less: Advice for the Leader, CEDIA, https://cedia.net/news-knowledge/content-hub/news-detail/cedia-news/2020/05/28/reflect-more-to-worry-less-advice-for-the-leader
- The Importance of Confrontation for Interpersonal Relationships, CEDIA, https://cedia.net/news-knowledge/content-hub/news-detail/cedia-news/2019/07/01/the-importance-of-confrontation-for-interpersonal-relationships
Volunteer Community Involvement
- Program Volunteer, Special Olympics Indiana, 2018–Present
- Board Member, Hanover College Advisory Board, 2019–Present
- Community Volunteer, Village of Merici, 2021–2023
- Board Member, A Girl’s Gift – Board of Directors, 2012–2014
- Volunteer, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, UNICEF
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Vice President, Education and Training
CEDIA
06.2018 - 11.2021
Senior Director of Education
CEDIA
02.2018 - 06.2018
Vice President, Operations & Learning Initiatives
DevOps Library
08.2014 - 02.2017
Senior Content & Development Specialist
HighPoint Global
08.2012 - 02.2015
Director, Reading is Fundamental & Senior Grant Consultant
Indiana Department of Education
08.2007 - 06.2011
Senior Instructional Designer, Adult Learning Specialist
McGraw-Hill Education
03.2007 - 12.2009
Adjunct English & Humanities Professor
Indiana University
01.2007 - 01.2021
Director of Outreach, Alumni Programs & English Initiatives
Southwestern Community College
08.2002 - 08.2004
PhD - Organizational Leadership
Indiana Wesleyan University
MA.T - Teaching, Reading Specialization
San Diego State University
BA - English (British Literature)
San Diego State University
Certificate - Nonprofit Fundraising Strategy
IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Executive Certificate - Nonprofit Fund Development
University of Notre Dame
Certificate - Leadership Coaching and Strategic Talent Development
Georgetown University
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