Samantha McKenzie

Samantha McKenzie is a dedicated leader in the nonprofit sector in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Serving as President & CEO of Hidden Harvest since 2016, Sam is proud of her team’s efforts to ensure good food does not get wasted.  The food rescue and hunger relief organization has grown significantly under her leadership, supporting over 195 nonprofit programs by freely distributing over $10 million worth of food annually.  Last year, the agency reached the lifetime milestone achievement of 50 million pounds of food rescued and delivered.  With Sam at the leadership helm, Hidden Harvest has received the Good Scout Award from the Michigan Crossroads Council, the Community Partner Award from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, the Innovative Partner Award from The Arc of Midland, and was the recipient of the SVSU Student Association Battle of the Valleys proceeds.

While a student at SVSU, Sam was in the Foundation Scholars Program as well as the Honors Program - completing her research and thesis under the mentorship of Dr. Robert S. Drew.  She graduated summa cum laude and still feels a great sense of gratitude for the Presidential Scholarship Award.  

Samantha is deeply engaged in community service, in roles that span from food security, sustainability and philanthropy to leadership development.  She is a graduate of Leadership Midland, Leadership Saginaw County, and the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Institute for Leaders. Sam is the agency representative on the United Way of Midland Board of Trustees.  She is honored to serve as an elected official in her township as the treasurer of the Rauchholz Memorial Library Board of Trustees.  Sam is currently the Cubmaster for Pack #3332 and has earned the Scouts BSA Messenger of Peace Award. Sam sits on the Community Advisory Panels for both Hemlock Semiconductor and the Midland iPark. She is an active Midland Noon Rotary Club member - leading the grant making Community Needs Committee - and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow.  

Sam lives in Hemlock with her husband, Nick, and their three kiddos, Connor, Wade, and Eve.  Her greatest accomplishments are giving her children meaningful opportunities to serve others.

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