SAMANTHA Christie
28 | Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain | Director of Rooms
Residence: South Burlington
Career highlight(s): The career highlights I'm most proud of are being able to develop my professional skills set at the Waldorf Astoria New Orleans and being the Director of Rooms at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes work or contributions made through the Blue Energy Committee at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain. Through this committee we are able to provide outreach programs or contributions to non-profit organizations within the community. I have also been involved in the J1 Foreign Exchange Development 
Program.This program allows young leaders of tomorrow to gain valuable leadership training and experience in the hospitality industry and to explore the State of Vermont and the United States at large for cultural experiences. I have also contributed to The Peter Deng Foundation which is a non-profit organization which provides scholarships to orphaned children in East Africa and the foundation also helps families who have been displaced by natural disasters.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I came to Vermont on a temporary assignment and the opportunity for it to become a permanent assignment was offered to me.
Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is being able to interact with guests, leaving a positive impact on every guest's stay or experience and being able to work in a diverse environment with a phenomenal team.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is my mother. She has taught me the most valuable lessons in life such as grace, courtesy, treating everyone equally, endurance, strength and she has cultivated and built my confidence as I grew throughout.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received was 'if an opportunity for professional growth and development presents itself accept the opportunity and learn how to do the job. Success and maturity comes from the willingness to learn.'
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that I enjoy playing sports ( especially Soccer) and I enjoy visiting historical sights.
What three words best describe you: The three words that best describe me are: I'm Conceptual, Resilient and I'm decisive.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is The Stowe Mountains.
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is cooking.
Favorite Super Hero and why: My favorite super hero is Wonder Woman. This Super Hero portrays great resilience, consistency and determination. Her characteristics resonate with the values that my mother has taught me as well as the woman I have become and aspiring to become.
Favorite Social Media and why: My favorite social media is Instagram because it emphasizes on community connection.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I'd most like to share a Vermont beverage with is Mr. Miro Wienberger.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The causes I would support are Breast Cancer Association, Community on Temporary Service (COTS)
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I'd like to become an Entrepreneur or a Business Mogul.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? The career goal I'd like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years is to become General Manager.
How has your community service changed since the pandemic? My community service during the pandemic has changed as I am not able to do physical interactions but i contribute in other ways.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has changed as we have to have minimal guest contact. However our company and General has implemented great ways of safely interact with our guests.