Samantha Williams
CDO | CIO | CX | BOARD ADVISOR
GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION & M&A LEADER
Helping companies grow, transform and compete in a digital and AI-driven economy.
I lead complex enterprise transformations where digital, data, AI, customer experience and operating model change must translate into measurable business value.DIGITAL | STRATEGY | TRANSFORMATION
What I do
I turn complexity into action—and transformation into value.Digital and business executive with experience leading operationally complex companies across industries. Grounded in the P&L, customer experience and strategic priorities, I lead mission-critical initiatives where clarity, urgency and trust matter most.From building digital businesses and transformation organizations from the ground up, to leading a $1.7B global carve-out, to scaling AI adoption and modernizing commercial capabilities, my work sits at the intersection of business strategy, technology and execution.
Where I Create Value
| AI Strategy & Enterprise Transformation | Digital Growth & Business Model Innovation |
| Customer Experience (CX) & Go-to-Market | Operating Model & Organization Design |
| Data Strategy & Intelligent Automation | M&A, Carve-Outs & Business Separations |
Enterprise Impact
$1.7B
Global carve-out delivered with Day-1 continuity$50M+
First-year transformation value deliveredfrom 1 to 150+
Digital transformation organization scaled400 CSR agents
Transformed from cost center to self-funded profit center6 MVPs / 2 Days
Innovation model demonstrating speed and agile execution100% AI Adoption
Across business segment
Professional associations
Apparo - Business and Tech Solutions for Nonprofits
CXO Tech Council | Jan 2024 - presentForbes Technology Council
CX/ EX Member Leader | May 2022 - May 2024
Link to see features in Forbes
Education
Roberts Wesleyan University
B.S. Organizational Management | 3.95/4.0 GPA. (2005)
Distinguished Achievement AwardUniversity of South Carolina
Darla Moore School of Business | Executive Education (2023)
Work experience
2025 – 2026CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER
Recruited by Pentair from TOPPAN. Responsible for standing up new digital org, designed to lead digital transformation strategy and execution with the purpose of driving sustainable and differentiated growth. Collaborated across Pentair on key initiatives. Oversaw data strategy and promote digital & AI literacy throughout the organization.ENTERPRISE AI ADOPTION: Achieved 100% AI adoption across Pool segment
REVENUE GROWTH ENABLEMENT: Launched Salesforce platform empowering 10% organic growth target
DATA STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE: Delivered master data & golden record strategy & execution
2020 – 2025TOPPAN AMERICAS, VP IT, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO)
Promoted to CIO of TOPPAN Americas. Led end-to-end IT carve-out execution for Sonoco’s $1.7B divestiture to TOPPAN, accountable for separation planning, Day-1 continuity, close readiness, cutover execution & stabilization of business-critical capabilities. Established the strategy and planning required to operate as a standalone organization.DAY-1 CONTINUITY: Delivered on-time, on-budget close with seamless Day-1 business continuity
SEPARATION & CUTOVER: Led separation across 100+ applications and 10 ERPs through complex TSA timelines
STANDALONE OPERATIONS: Guided M&A from diligence through standalone transition and stabilizationSONOCO, GLOBAL HEAD OF DIGITAL
Promoted to Global Head of Digital. Stood up Sonoco’s new digital organization to deliver significant business transformation and growth across the global enterprise. Held P&L responsibility, developed the operating model, built the team from the ground up & led strategy and execution across customer, employee, commercial, manufacturing, automation & enterprise modernization capabilities.DIGITAL VALUE CREATION: $100M+ 3-year strategy; $50M+ realized in year one
GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION: Scaled digital organization from 1 to 150+ through a global delivery model
M&A LEADERSHIP: Led CIO execution through $1.7B divestiture to TOPPAN AmericasSONOCO, GLOBAL IT COMMERCIAL & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE LEADER
Recruited by Sonoco from Sealed Air. Built the Commercial & Customer Experience IT function, strategy and delivery capability from the ground up. Role expanded to span enterprise technology-led transformation, leading to promotion into the newly created Global Head of Digital role.
2016 - 2020GLOBAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IT BUSINESS PARTNER, COMMERCIAL
Recruited by Sealed Air from Electrolux. Served as a key business partner to the division president and executive leadership team with direct responsibility for driving business outcomes through technology. Provided thought leadership, management & oversight of technology solutions and investments, including digital transformation and innovation initiatives.VALUE CREATION: $10M+ realized in year one against $77M+ 3-year technology plan
DIGITAL PRODUCT INNOVATION: Developed and commercialized high-margin digital SaaS offering
AGILE INNOVATION: Launched 1st Innovation Fair; resulted in 6 MVPs in 2 days; solved 20-year-old challenge
2014 - 2016IT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Recruited by Electrolux from Scott Safety. Partnered with Sales & Marketing leaders to ensure strategic alignment between business and IT, identify opportunities and requirements, secure funding, support execution & drive value realization.PROFITABLE CX TRANSFORMATION: Shifted 400+ rep service center from cost center to profit center
ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP: Built BRM function from the ground up and established model for broader adoption
150%+ REVENUE GROWTH: Created SAP CRM offering while improving operational efficiency
2010 – 2014CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE LEADER & SOLUTION ARCHITECT
Converted from consultant to employee. Managed and led the global IT project portfolio and internal/external teams through large-scale, complex customer-facing initiatives.50% WARRANTY COST REDUCTION: Created new field warranty model improving risk, customer and partner experience
GLOBAL WEB TRANSFORMATION: Delivered 15 regional sites across eight languagesAdditional experience provided upon request.
What people are saying
See more recommendations on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthalwilliams/
Contact
Open to select board, advisory, transformation, and executive opportunities where digital, data, AI, and technology can unlock meaningful business value.
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