Samantha Williams

Chief Digital & Information Officer | Transformation and M&A Leader

Helping companies grow, transform and compete in a digital and AI-driven economy.I lead enterprise transformations where digital, data, AI, customer experience and operating model change translate into measurable business value.

What I do

I turn complexity into action, and transformation into value.Digital and business executive who leads operationally complex companies through change. My work is grounded in the P&L, the customer and the strategic priorities of the business. I lead initiatives where clarity, urgency and trust matter most.I've built digital businesses and transformation organizations from the ground up, led the IT separation for a $1.7B global carve-out, scaled enterprise AI adoption and modernized commercial capabilities. My work sits where business strategy, technology and execution meet.

Where I Create Value

AI Strategy & Enterprise TransformationDigital Growth & Business Model Innovation
Customer Experience (CX) & Go-to-MarketOperating Model & Organization Design
Data Strategy & Intelligent AutomationM&A, Carve-Outs & Business Separations

Enterprise Impact

$1.7B
Global carve-out: led IT separation, on-time & on-budget Day-1 continuity
$100M+
Three-year digital value strategy, with $50M+ realized in year one
100+ apps / 10 ERPs
Separated and stood up under complex TSA timelines
1 → 150+
Global digital organization built from the ground up
400+ agents
Customer care center turned from cost center to profit center
100% AI Adoption
110 → nearly 700 Copilot users across Pool segment

Ways We Can Work Together

I partner with organizations at pivotal moments when growth, transformation or complexity demands clear leadership, practical strategy and disciplined execution.EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
CDO, CIO and enterprise transformation roles where digital, data and AI are strategic priorities.
ADVISORY, FRACTIONAL & INTERIM
Focused leadership when clarity, momentum and experience are needed most. I help teams cut through complexity, focus on what matters and move meaningful work forward.
Typical engagements include: transformation roadmaps, digital & AI value accelerators, M&A and carve-out readiness, interim CIO/CDO leadership
Scoped as: project-based, monthly retained, interim work.
BOARD & GOVERNANCE
A practical, business-first perspective on digital, AI, transformation, customer experience and enterprise change, grounded in both opportunity and execution reality.
Have a challenge worth solving? Let’s talk.

Selected Leadership Experience

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Pentair Pool

Charlotte, NC | 2025 – 2026

CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER
Recruited by Pentair from TOPPAN. Stood up Pentair Pool's first digital organization to lead digital transformation strategy and execution for sustainable, differentiated growth. In 13 months, I launched a new Salesforce environment, set the related data strategy and made AI part of everyday work across the segment. The role concluded when Pentair's enterprise reorganization consolidated divisional leadership roles into corporate functions.
ENTERPRISE AI ADOPTION: Scaled Copilot from ~110 to ~700 users, 100% of professional staff, backed by role-specific playbooks
REVENUE GROWTH ENABLEMENT: Launched Salesforce platform empowering 10% organic growth target
DATA STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE: Delivered data management & golden record strategy

"Sam is great at translating highly complex digital information into digestible business outcomes… I’d highly recommend Sam in multiple digital leadership roles.”

JILLIAN SWIFT, PENTAIR POOL, CMO,
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

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TOPPAN Americas (Sonoco)

Charlotte, NC | 2020 – 2025

TOPPAN 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 stabilization

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"Samantha is a true visionary across so many different dimensions… more impressively, she delivered…Samantha builds teams and develops people as she is selfless in her efforts to lift all boats.”

RICK JOHNSON, SONOCO,
CIO, DIRECT MANAGER

SONOCO, 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 Americas

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"Her leadership abilities are unmatched, embodying the qualities of a transformational leader that any organization would be lucky to have.”

RAMEIKA GIBSON, SONOCO &
SCOTT SAFETY, DIRECT REPORT

SONOCO, 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.

"A promoter of change, Samantha is an approachable, steadfast, leader with a strong moral compass and a unique passion for driving organizations through change to maximize operations and value."

CHRISTY THOMPSON, SONOCO,
GLOBAL MARKETING LEADER. INTERNAL CUSTOMER

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Sealed Air

Charlotte, NC | 2016 - 2020

GLOBAL 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

"Her most significant contribution is her ability to drive connectivity and collaboration between different functional teams and business units in order to achieve results."

SUSAN BELL, SEALED AIR, VP
STRATEGY, BUSINESS PARTNER

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Electrolux

Charlotte, NC | 2014 - 2016

IT 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

"She worked perfectly with business and IT… She has the personality to calmly work and communicate with all levels of the org. She is one of the best employees I have worked with.”

JOHN MCKEITHAN, ELECTROLUX,
DIRECTOR, DIRECT MANAGER

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Scott Safety (Tyco)

Charlotte, NC | 2010 – 2014

CUSTOMER 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 languages

"I was so impressed with every aspect of her leadership. I still have no idea how she was able to keep us all focused and engaged so well.”

MATT MEAGHER, SCOTT SAFETY/ 3M, TECH
SUPPORT/SALES, BUSINESS PARTNER

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Additional experience provided upon request.

See more recommendations on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthalwilliams/


Professional associations

Apparo - Business and Tech Solutions for Nonprofits
CXO Tech Council | Jan 2024 - present
Forbes Technology Council
CX/ EX Member Leader | May 2022 - May 2024
Link to see features in Forbes

Education

Roberts Wesleyan University
B.S. Organizational Management | Distinguished Achievement Award
University of South Carolina
Darla Moore School of Business | Executive Education


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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