CFL: Lunch & Lead with Americares Director

On Wednesday, Dec. 8, during the Center for Leadership’s Lunch & Lead, students had the opportunity to sit with Samira Schmitz, Director of Global Operations for Americares. 

Americares is a global nonprofit that “saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster so they can reach their full potential.” As the Director of Global Operations, Ms. Schmitz directs disaster relief programs and provides aid to first responder teams in countries or places of crisis. 

During the Lunch & Lead, students learned about Ms. Schmitz’s journey into the nonprofit industry and how her work and life experiences affect not just her, but others, too. She talked about countries facing different crises and how Americares works to help them. Whether it’s providing health care to refugee communities, helping people who have been displaced because of the effects of climate change, or exploring ways to build infrastructure in a country, Americares is committed to finding sustainable solutions. “Every country has its own way of managing crises,” Ms. Schmitz noted, “and Americares goes where the need is.” Students were engaged and asked many questions about the work of Americares and Ms. Schmitz’s experiences around the globe. 

It was an honor to host someone so deeply engaged in helping others. Our time with her was inspiring and thought-provoking. We’re grateful to Liv Woodruff ‘23, one of the Lunch & Lead interns, who helped make arrangements for Ms. Schmitz’s visit. 

See photos from the event and past Lunch & Lead speakers.