Samantha Wagner’s story isn’t one of luck or privilege. It’s one of survival, strength, and relentless purpose — a powerful reminder that leadership is often forged in the fire of real life. As Chief Administrative Officer at Advantum Health, Samantha brings discipline, structure, and high standards to everything she touches — but what truly sets her apart is the heart behind it all.
A Childhood Marked by Silence and Survival
Samantha’s earliest memories aren’t the kind most children carry. Beginning at just four years old, she endured physical and emotional abuse that left lasting trauma. “I remember flashes — being outside, crying, and then being lifted off the ground and left hanging by my overalls on a hook in a barn,” she shares. “It felt like hours before anyone came back for me.”
The final incident was the most brutal — one that left her hospitalized with serious internal injuries. What followed was a painful recovery and a move into a completely new household, full of strangers and instability. Though she was no longer in physical danger, the emotional chaos around her continued and disruption became the norm.
At 13, she was moved again — and by 16, she was told plainly: you’re good now…you should go ahead and move out.
With no roadmap, no financial support, and no one to fall back on, Samantha entered adulthood the only way she knew how: by working. And by figuring out how to impose order on a life that had never known it.
Order as a Lifeline
She took a part-time job filing charts at a doctor’s office, but within months, she was helping run the front desk, handling billing, triaging patients, even administering injections. “I was sixteen, working alongside adults twice my age, telling them they owed money or couldn’t be seen again without payment,” she recalls. “It taught me early how to be confident — and how to stay organized under pressure.”
Samantha’s commitment to structure and precision wasn’t just a professional instinct — it was how she coped. At home, she lived alone in a drafty trailer with no insulation and little guidance on how to manage utilities or bills. “That first winter, I realized I couldn’t afford heat. I remember sitting under the covers, fully clothed, because I couldn’t stand the cold long enough to shower or get dressed,” she says. “But I paid that $700 electric bill, little by little. I learned how to survive.”
She also learned the value of preparation. She earned her CNA certification at night, picked up shifts at a nursing home, and took internships in hospital admin departments. Every moment was spoken for — and every hour had a purpose. “I didn’t have a choice,” she says. “But I did have a work ethic.”
One Step at a Time
At 19, after losing her only car to a debt she didn’t owe, Samantha realized no one was coming to rescue her. “There’s a moment where you stop hoping for someone to save you — and instead start becoming your own hero,” she says.
That same year, she enrolled in culinary school — not because it was her passion, but because she needed out of a difficult situation. And while the program only lasted one semester, it gave her the confidence to stand on her own. Shortly after, she met someone who saw her worth — a dependable, supportive partner who wanted the best for her and their future. Together, they built a life grounded in stability and respect.
Their first child was born in 2009, and Samantha began charting a new path: education, professional growth, and being the kind of parent she never had. She pursued her associate’s degree, then her bachelor’s, and finally her master’s degree in 2017 — all online, all while working full-time and raising a growing family of four children.
Leading With Standards — and Heart
Samantha’s personal experience shaped her professional values: accountability, structure, and high standards. “I’ve always believed in setting expectations, following through, and keeping things organized — because chaos only creates more pain,” she says. That belief has guided her through every role she’s held, including serving as a Girl Scout leader, PTA president, and school council member.
In 2020, she joined Advantum Health. Within a few years, her ability to streamline operations, empower teams, and build scalable processes stood out. She was promoted in summer 2024 to Chief Administrative Officer, now overseeing Human Resources, Training & Education, PMO, Implementation, and Quality.
Her leadership has brought a new level of rigor and consistency across the organization. From onboarding and training to performance standards and accountability systems, Samantha has created frameworks that allow teams to function more effectively and with greater confidence.
CEO Tammy Taylor describes it this way:
“Samantha’s promotion to CAO reflects not only her personal grit but also her professional brilliance. Her operational discipline, team development skills, and dedication to building repeatable success are at the heart of how we’re scaling Advantum’s mission. She’s elevated Advantum in so many ways.”
Empowering Others Through Example
Samantha believes the best leaders don’t just do the work — they teach others how to do it too. “Whenever possible, I use a request or a task as a teachable moment. That’s how we grow capacity,” she says. “Leadership isn’t about holding onto knowledge — it’s about sharing it.”
Even now, with a full-time executive role and a busy home life, Samantha is slowly working on her PhD. “It’s not a race,” she says. “But it’s something I want to finish. Because I don’t leave things unfinished anymore.”
The Story Behind the Success
Samantha’s story is a testament to what’s possible when pain is met with purpose — when adversity fuels ambition instead of stopping it. Her life may have started with darkness, but she made sure the chapters that followed were filled with light, love, and leadership.
She didn’t just overcome — she excelled. And at Advantum Health, we’re proud to have her as a shining example of what real strength looks like.