Detail-Oriented

The old saying, “Can’t see the forest for the trees,” does not apply to Samantha Chong ’96, the executive director of business intelligence for Advancement. The SoCal native and USC Marshall School of Business alum focuses on the macro and the micro in this role, where she oversees and manages the data that fuels all Advancement work.

No pressure, right?

Samantha handles the multitude of requests for data and programming support with the calm assurance of an information systems management veteran. Prior to joining USC 20 years ago, she managed large-scale implementations of human resources, payroll and finance systems for such companies as 20^th Century Fox, General Motors and WellPoint Health Systems. At USC, Samantha previously served as a member of the Salesforce User Experience team, as well as the director of the Advancement Systems team, before taking her current position in 2021.

On any given day, Samantha and her team of “hardworking, knowledgeable and skilled professionals” are responding to ad hoc data requests, designing and building reports and dashboards, providing programming support to email marketing efforts, and analyzing data to enhance operations and inform business decisions.

As Samantha readily admits, this work requires “being detailed to the point of being persnickety,” but she finds it deeply satisfying.

“I enjoy learning people’s requirements and pairing them with solutions.”

These solutions can take many forms, from implementing reports and dashboards to changing the orientation of data. The work also involves managing people’s reactions to change, which can evoke fear and resistance. When that happens, Samantha uses a two-pronged approach to help people accept change: communication and education.

“Communication can be an email blast or a one-on-one,” Samantha explains.  “It’s all about meeting that person where they are.”

Education — hands-on training, documentation, video tutorials, whatever’s most effective — is the next (and hopefully final) step in a process Samantha describes as “moving someone from chaos to order.”

“And, if all goes to plan, they may even get to a place where they’re excited,” she adds.

Over the course of her USC career, Samantha has gained valuable insight about working in Advancement. What’s her advice for colleagues and new hires?

“All knowledge is good, even if it does not apply to your immediate role. It may come in handy later,” she says. “Also, help your colleagues, if it is within your ability. Not only does it help move everyone forward, but the benefits you reap may come in unexpected ways or times. Lastly, remember to breathe and center yourself. Solutions are more likely to occur to you when you’re not stressed.”

Off the clock, Samantha likes to unwind by playing with her dog, Sadie Belle, a brindle Labrador-Pitbull mix, and cooking; family favorites include a lasagna with a Bolognese sauce and a smoked turkey gumbo, made with Thanksgiving leftovers. Another passion is travel, with Japan, Korea, Singapore and Spain heading Samantha’s list of dream destinations.