Samantha Steiner is a junior pursuing a degree in Food Marketing with a minor in Business Analytics at Western Michigan University (Class of 2028). Deeply engaged across both campus life and the national grocery sector, Samantha serves as one of two Student Honorary Board Members for Women Grocers of America (WGA), Engagement Director for the Food Marketing Association, Senior Vice President of Delta Sigma Pi, and a Haworth College of Business Student Ambassador.
Driven by a passion for hands-on experience, Samantha has built a strong foundation in CPG marketing and retail operations across two impactful industry internships. She began her internship journey with Lipari Foods, executing marketing initiatives and assisting in coordinating the annual Taste of America trade show. Building on that foundation, she recently completed a cross-functional rotation in Nashville, TN, with Alliance Retail Group—the nation’s largest self-negotiating independent retail group—collaborating across category management, negotiation, retail tech, merchandising, and project management.
Beyond her internships, Samantha actively pursues immersive industry experiences around the country and globally. She participated in the Food Marketing Great Lakes Industry Tour, visiting over 36 CPG companies in two weeks, and studied abroad in Ireland to gain a global perspective on international CPG dynamics and retail supply chains. Her commitment to staying ahead of industry trends has led her to attend major conferences and trade shows nationwide, including the NRF Big Show in NYC, NGA events, the NFRA Convention, PLMA, and multi-state retail store walks.
As an active speaker and advocate for the next generation of food retail, Samantha is excited to continue learning, building strong and unique relationships with current industry leaders, and driving forward-thinking innovation in the CPG landscape.