Samantha Harkins is CEO of Lansing 5:01, our region’s talent attraction organization, and Founder/CEO of Hundred Place Consulting. Her work centers on building strong communities and supporting the organizations that serve them.
With more than 20 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, and local government, Samantha has held leadership roles across the public and private sectors. Her career includes positions with the Michigan House of Representatives, Detroit Regional Chamber, and the Michigan Municipal League, where she led statewide lobbying efforts and later served as President of the MML Foundation. She also served as Vice President of Government Relations at Munetrix and as Deputy Mayor for the City of Lansing.
Samantha has been recognized as one of Michigan’s top lobbyists and a “person to watch” in politics by Crain’s Detroit Business. She is a graduate of West Virginia University, holding both a J.D. and a B.A. in Political Science, and has completed executive education through the Harvard Kennedy School.
She launched Hundred Place Consulting in 2020, working with clients such as the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy, the City of Flint, and the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan.
Originally from Hundred, West Virginia, Samantha now lives in downtown Lansing with her family, where she enjoys reading and running.