Samantha Tam

Sr. Lead, Talent Programs and Operations

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

About

I am a seasoned communicator and program manager with 10 years of experience in driving business results through effective operations, communication and project management. My expertise lies in technical audience engagement, communications strategies, leading cross-functional programs, and delivering successful projects on time and within budget. I am passionate about creating meaningful change and connections with communities through clear and impactful messaging.

Experience

  • Senior Lead Program Management at Wealthsimple
    Mar 2026 - Present · 4 mos

  • Shopify (9 yrs 5 mos)
    • Senior Product Operations Lead - Data
      Jul 2025 - Feb 2026 · 8 mos

      Partnered closely with senior data leadership to drive operational excellence across the data function. Managed day-to-day headcount planning and allocation, building clear, data-driven views to support strategic decision-making. Supported the Head of Data with communications, project management, and leadership rituals, while collaborating with their Executive Assistant to align, track and ship priorities. Stepped in as interim team lead for the Data Operations team, ensuring continuity and delivery during a maternity leave period. Led special projects for data leaders and owned the planning and execution of large-scale team communications, including town halls.

    • Product Operations Lead - Data (Analytics Engineering)
      Aug 2024 - Jul 2025 · 1 yr

      Acted as a strategic operator to the Director of Data Analytics, driving clarity, alignment, and execution across the function. Partnered to translate priorities into structured plans, improving visibility into team deliverables, progress, and impact. Led high-priority, cross-functional initiatives end-to-end, ensuring teams were aligned, unblocked, and delivering against key objectives. Owned team operations, designing and running effective planning cadences, leadership rituals, and scalable systems to support growth. Served as a connective layer for the leadership team, navigating organizational complexity, shaping communications, and enabling informed decision-making across stakeholders. Sample work: Data Team Visibility & Reporting: Designed a structured reporting framework (dashboards + updates) to improve visibility into team deliverables, timelines, and outcomes across stakeholders. Leadership Operating Rhythm: Established and optimized leadership rituals (weekly reviews, planning cycles, team townhalls), improving alignment, accountability, and decision-making across the team. Cross-Functional Project Delivery: Led project management for high-priority initiatives (e.g., analytics roadmap execution, tooling/process improvements), coordinating across teams to ensure on-time delivery.

    • Staff Program Manager - Engineering Programs and Operations
      Aug 2022 - Aug 2024 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Transforming Engineering Leadership vision into tangible and impactful programs. As a member of the Engineering Operations Team, led by the Chief of Staff and Director of Engineering Programs, I spearhead initiatives that empower developers globally. Together, we shape the future of engineering excellence and drive meaningful change across the organization. * Successfully manages projects and programs, ensuring on-time delivery, high engagement, and budget alignment * Manages executive and leadership engagement for newly-designed, high-impact opportunities * Implements project management best practices and standardizing processes, resulting in adopted methodologies across disciplines * Managing several high-profile projects, resulting in greater transparency of company priorities * Collaborates with executive management team, contributes to strategic direction, and develops team procedures and roadmaps * Effectively assesses inquiries and opportunities from outside stakeholders * Provides ongoing support for senior engineering leadership

  • Account Executive at High Road Communications
    Oct 2014 - Oct 2016 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    I develop and implement experiential influencer/KOL programs for clients and secure talent through relationship development/social media analytics. For example, securing a celebrity Fashion Director for an influencer campaign resulting in over 25M impressions and 25K engagements within 48 hours. I am also responsible for developing and maintaining relationships among international media agencies resulting in time-sensitive interviews, coverage and media attendance for a variety of events, as well as, constructing a range of content including press releases, media advisories, Q & A documents, influencer roadmaps and media pitches resulting in secured coverage and increased brand awareness. Among other duties, such as traditional/social monitoring, social audits, and content campaign insights, I also manage corporate-wide quality assurance by testing web compatibility, content and design review, and mitigating client feedback.

  • Marketing Assistant at nonlinear creations
    Jun 2014 - Oct 2014 · 5 mos

    At nonlinear I was responsible for developing and editing whitepapers and social media content, while updating the company's website. In addition to developing advertising materials, I was responsible to designing web and print content through photoshop.

  • Civilian instructor at Canadian Forces
    Jun 2007 - Aug 2007 · 3 mos

    Responsible for the safety and education of cadets Create and implement new activities Address parental concerns