Samantha A. Carl-Yoder

Former career diplomat. International problem-solver and relationship-builder. Skilled facilitator of market entry and business growth. 

Samantha Carl-Yoder is the co-chair of the firm’s international practice. She draws on her nearly 20 years of service at the U.S. State Department, working in both Washington, D.C. and embassies across the world, to build strategic partnerships for companies expanding domestically and overseas. Her sophisticated understanding of foreign policy and deep relationships with sovereign governments, third-party institutions and global media organizations is used to solve problems that require a multidisciplinary approach. She successfully shepherds companies into new markets, develops bilateral partnerships and manages senior relationships with dignitaries for multinational clients.

Samantha led the international government relations efforts of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company, engaging with high-ranking business and government officials around the world on commercial projects, including with stakeholders in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South America. In addition to her government outreach, Samantha forged lasting relationships with industry trade associations, think tanks, advocacy groups, chambers of commerce and media organizations.

Prior to joining the private sector, she served for nearly two decades as a foreign service officer in Indonesia, Peru, Myanmar (Burma) and Brazil. She also held senior positions in the Trump and Obama administrations, including serving as chief of staff to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the State Department, chief of staff to the Assistant Secretary of State at the Bureau of Energy Resources and as a senior advisor to two deputy secretaries.

Education

• M.P.I.A., 2001, University of Pittsburgh
• B.A., 1999, Gettysburg College

Memberships

Principal Member, Meridian International Center’s Corporate Council 

Chair, U.S.-India Business Council’s Committee on Energy

Advisor, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s China Advisory Committee

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Board of Directors, Atlantic Council

AWARDS:

U.S. Department of State Superior Honor Awards, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018

U.S. Department of State Ambassador Thomas Pickering Fellow, 1999