As the Associate Director of Programs for the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Samaha is tasked with overseeing the coordination and administration of all aspects of ongoing NACDD programs including planning, organizing, implementing, leading, and controlling of all program activities of staff and consultants, and overall management of the NACDD Project Portfolio. 

Samaha’s professional interest includes prevention, health promotion, education, research, and outreach. She has more than 15 years of experience working in health promotion and prevention research. She is a conceptual thinker who welcomes collaboration, strategic planning, and team work. 

Prior to joining NACDD, Samaha was a Program Manager for the American Cancer Society Center for Tobacco Control (CTC). As the program manager for the CTC, Samaha’s work included building and managing collaborative relationships with internal and external partners and implementing the strategic actions of the CTC. 

Samaha has a BS in Community Health Education from San Jose State University in San Jose, California, and an MPH from Emory University in Atlanta. 

Samaha is a wife to James and mother to three lovely and very active children. Landon, the oldest, is an avid swimmer and involved in various sporting activities. Twin daughters Harper and Carsyn are a ball of energy and involved in everything. Samaha’s hobbies includes reading, running, and traveling. In her spare time, she enjoys fun family outings, going to the movies, and trying new restaurants.