Samantha Safranek joined the Yancy County Chamber of Commerce as the Membership Services and Marketing Manager in March 2025. She brings a unique background to her role at the Chamber, combining creativity, organization, and a deep love for community. Born and raised in Pembroke Pines, FL, she grew up surrounded by the vibrant culture and natural beauty of South Florida. From the beaches to the Everglades, the area instilled in her an appreciation for diversity, community, and the unique charm that makes a place feel like home. While attending the University of Central Florida, she learned the importance of customer service while working at Universal Studios in Orlando, where she discovered how meaningful it is to create positive experiences and lasting impressions for guests. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in environmental studies, she dedicated the next 10 years as a zookeeper, specializing in the care and training of elephants. That experience taught her patience, teamwork, problem-solving, and the importance of building strong connections. Samantha then moved to Dallas, TX, where she spent five years working at the Dallas Zoo as lead elephant zoologist and serving as the social media liaison for the Dallas chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers. During that time, her parents relocated to Burnsville. Though originally planning to settle in Austin, they discovered Burnsville and quickly fell in love with the community. Samantha soon found herself falling in love with Burnsville as well during holiday visits, and after five years in Dallas, she decided to follow her parents and make the move herself, settling right across the street from them. Today, she is grateful to bring both her love for the Burnsville community and the skills gained from her unique career experiences into her role at the Chamber, where she is dedicated to supporting local businesses and helping the community thrive.