With the aim of showcasing these paths, Samsung Newsroom conducted video interviews of some of its many inspiring leaders around the world. Watch the full video below to hear their inspiring stories:

Tips for Those on Their Journeys

Deborah Honig is the first ever Chief Customer Officer at Samsung Electronics U.K., a role that’s all about putting the customer at the center of Samsung’s offerings and bringing the strength of the company’s ecosystem together across B2B and B2C sales channels.

A proud Canadian and sports fanatic, Honig was inspired by her father, who was an airplane engineer. When Honig was a child, he would take her to his workplace, where she had the opportunity to witness industries that were pushing the boundaries firsthand. This marked the beginning of her interest in technology. Now, she is proud to be part of Samsung’s drive for innovation and is excited to be part of the journey to bring AI technology to users.

Honig is driven by the mantra, “power the possible.” To her, this means inspiring the best work in herself and in her team and is rooted in the belief that Samsung products help people live better lives. Her advice to others on their journey is, “Build your own tribe. Never underestimate the power of your network to lean on when you need coaching, inspiration or advice.”

In a hybrid role consisting of engineering, management and consultant responsibilities, Shin-Chul Baik leads a team of 50 engineers tasked with maintaining the cybersecurity of Samsung devices, including smartphones, tablets, TVs and home appliances.

Baik knew he would become an engineer from a young age and has worked consistently throughout his career to combine that strong technical foundation with expertise in business operations and interpersonal communications. The breadth and dynamism of Samsung has provided key opportunities in this regard, in addition to the company’s education program supporting him in achieving various security qualifications.

To get ahead, he recommends the following approach, “Aspire to jump to the next curve. But keep your head down and grind in the meantime. It’s about the journey of getting through the process, and grabbing the opportunity to jump to the next curve.”

Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh leads a team of nearly 100 engineers at Samsung R&D Center Vietnam, which works in mobile product development areas like performance improvement, memory optimization and software compliance. Her primary role involves overseeing project development, managing human resources, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring adherence to Samsung’s internal processes.

Her journey began back in high school, where she was amazed at how quickly code produced results and the creative opportunities it offered. This led to her attending one of Vietnam’s premier technology universities and then her position at Samsung, which has shown her how the company fosters personal growth by creating a positive environment and offering numerous training programs.

Her advice to the world is, “Think differently. Always question how to improve the current state and never stop learning. If you encounter a challenge, do not be afraid to embrace it or to make mistakes. Figure out what you truly desire, believe in yourself, and work to transform every setback into an opportunity for growth.”

Camila Andrea Segura Rodriguez leads the marketing team for Home Appliances at Samsung Colombia, which is a role that involves developing effective product communication strategies to impact potential customers while closely collaborating with other teams.

As someone who was drawn to creativity since childhood, she wanted to develop a career that allowed her to express her creativity and imagination, which is exactly what she found in her first internship at a creative agency. Since joining Samsung, her journey has led to an appreciation for the dynamic work environment and the opportunities to grow professionally, particularly the provision of development tools like the Leadership Incubator.

When asked for her tips she would share with others, she says, “Stay true to yourself while continuously nurturing your growth with diverse people, opinions and experiences. Surrounding yourself with different voices challenges your thinking, sparks creativity and helps you evolve. Embrace change, stay open to learning, stay grounded in your values, and let both your uniqueness and the richness of diversity shape your journey.”

Daniel Harvie is Head of the TV/AV business for Samsung in the U.K. & Ireland — a role in which he leads a large team across sales, marketing and product — with the core responsibilities of working with channel partners, creating consumer demand and managing the supply chain.

The path that led to Harvie’s career at Samsung was certainly a unique one, since his childhood was rooted in competitive sport before he moved on to majoring in music and the performing arts at university and eventually pivoted to consumer technology. He credits his broad skillset to this varied background and believes his story is a testament to how different life experiences can bring value to a company. In terms of career growth, Samsung has provided him with the opportunity to develop expertise across multiple European markets and a better understanding of global strategy, including formal leadership development programs.

His advice to others on their Samsung journey is, “Firstly, be open-minded, always be willing to learn from new experiences and challenges you face, and take on different perspectives. Secondly, carry with you an optimistic mindset. Optimism, with a healthy dose of realism, is a proven force multiplier and massively increases your ability to see opportunity, to be solutions focused and to galvanize people around ambitious goals.”

Roopa Sheshadri Kotiganahally is a Director at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore, where she leads the development of cutting-edge Galaxy device features powered by AI/machine learning (ML). Her team focuses on leveraging the power of computer vision, deep learning and generative AI paradigms to enhance photo and video experiences. Her position allows her to pursue her dream of working in tech — which began when she first became fixated on computers in high school — all while collaborating and sharing knowledge with a large team of talented professionals who push and grow alongside each other.

During her career at Samsung, Kotiganahally has found that the company fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning. For her, the IIMB Thought Leader Program and AI postgraduate programs have been particularly beneficial, as they have allowed her to expand her knowledge of AI and its applications in the mobile domain.

Kotiganahally’s advice for others on their journey is, “Embrace curiosity and a lifelong love for learning. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas and challenge the status quo. Believe in your potential and pursue your passions with dedication and perseverance, because the innovation journey is an ongoing one, and every step — every challenge — brings valuable learning experiences.”

Joy Amaka Tim-Ayoola is responsible for leading a mobile experience team at Samsung Electronics West Africa, a role that involves setting goals and sales strategies to address market realities, with the ultimate goal of driving revenue.

As a child, she envisioned herself as a solution provider, driven by her curiosity about the world’s challenges and how to tackle them, which led to an interest and career in technology. As she grew a little older, technology began to boom in Nigeria, and in that time she began to understand that one person could solve complex issues through programming. It is this recognition and desire to solve problems that led to her choosing a career in information technology. At Samsung, Tim-Ayoola feels she has been provided with the opportunity to combine her academic and career experiences to tackle real world challenges, thereby realizing her original dream of solving problems for others through technology.

Her advice to the world is, “Be purposeful! Be intentional in what you believe, embrace change as a catalyst for growth. Have a good supportive network.”

Now in its second year, Samsung Nanum Weeks has grown significantly with 110,000 people from 23 Korean affiliates participating and various regional offices taking part. Employees worldwide actively engaged in volunteer efforts centered around youth education, blood donation, charitable contributions and community service.

Samsung Newsroom captured how employees around the world came together not only during Samsung Nanum Weeks but throughout the year with a shared commitment to make a meaningful impact on their communities.

• Brazil: Empowering Local Youth Through Art and Games
• Indonesia: Hosting a Blood Donation Campaign With Employees
• South Africa: Organizing an E-Waste Collection and Recycling Campaign
• Türkiye: Building Connections Between Employees and Future Leaders
• Vietnam: Extending a Helping Hand to Children in Need
• United Kingdom: Supporting Young People and Local Organizations
• United States: Coming Together on Samsung Day of Service

Brazil: Empowering Local Youth Through Art and Games

To support underprivileged communities in the Campinas Region, employees from Samsung R&D Institute Brazil visited a local children’s center that offers free educational programs. Volunteers painted the front wall, created art in the cafeteria and organized interactive educational games for the children.

▲ Employees volunteer at a local children’s center in Brazil’s Campinas Region.

“I’m very happy to be here today and have the opportunity to make a positive impact on these children’s lives,” said Gabriel Veschi, Clinical Research Project Manager at Samsung R&D Institute Brazil. “I am grateful to be part of Samsung, where we have opportunities to step outside our usual environments and be part of the local community — something I believe everyone should experience.”

Indonesia: Hosting a Blood Donation Campaign With Employees

Together with the Red Cross, Samsung Electronics Indonesia organized a blood donation campaign called “Give Blood & Keep the World Beating.” This initiative was launched to address the local blood shortage with nearly 200 employees stepping forward to donate.

▲ Employees donate blood during the “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating” campaign in Indonesia.

“Donating blood is one of the most impactful activities in helping save lives,” said Fakhruzi Fakhruzi, a Samsung Electronics Indonesia employee who has participated in the annual blood drive for 26 years since joining the company in 1998. “We are proud to bring employees together to offer help to those in need.”

▲ Samsung Indonesia employees pose for a photo after donating blood.

South Africa: Organizing an E-Waste Collection and Recycling Campaign

In South Africa, Samsung employees participated in an e-waste collection and recycling campaign during Samsung Nanum Weeks — with the goal of gathering discarded electronics from local communities and promoting resource circulation.

Employees collected unused or end-of-life consumer electronics donated by residents, ensuring their safe transport from accredited service centers to certified recycling partners. At Samsung warehouses, employees collected scrap electronics for recycling and installed e-waste collection boxes in accessible locations throughout the office. The collected e-waste will be disassembled and recycled into raw materials for manufacturing.

▲ Employees recover discarded electronics for recycling in South Africa.

“The proper disposal of e-waste is crucial for environmental preservation and the sustainable development of local communities,” said Nicky Beukes, a Samsung South Africa employee. “We will continue to promote activities that protect the local environment and encourage recycling.”

▲ Employees set up collection boxes for unused or unwanted electronics throughout the Samsung office in South Africa.

Türkiye: Building Connections Between Employees and Future Leaders

In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, Samsung Electronics Türkiye hosted a Mentoring Day to empower talented young students as part of Samsung Innovation Campus. Samsung employees offered professional insights, career guidance and an in-depth look into Samsung’s history and culture.

▲ Samsung Electronics Türkiye employees pose for a photo on Mentoring Day.

“Mentoring these future leaders was incredibly fulfilling,” said Meral Çizmeci, a Samsung Electronics Türkiye employee. “We will continue to support and inspire the next generation.”

Vietnam: Extending a Helping Hand to Children in Need

At Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex, employees came together for a fundraising campaign to support underprivileged children through the Nanum Kiosk — Samsung’s fundraising platform that allows employees to donate money by tagging their employee ID at designated kiosks.

▲ Employees make donations through the Nanum Kiosk at the Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex.

“I’m grateful to give back to those in need in such an accessible way,” said Nguyen Truong Xa, a Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen employee who has made over 200 donations each year through the Nanum Kiosk to become the top contributor. “I look forward to participating in more sharing activities in the future.”

Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen also organized a walkathon on November 4 to raise funds for children with heart disease in the Thai Nguyen Province. Around 600 employees and local officials took part in the event, raising about 340 million Vietnamese dong ($13,423) to support the cause.

Samsung employees shared their volunteer activities on social media, encouraging colleagues and the wider community to get involved and promote a culture of giving. By matching each shared post with a donation of $1, Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex donated approximately 200 million Vietnamese dong ($7,896) to support childhood cancer treatment.

Following these events, Samsung CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Day was held on November 8 to highlight social contribution initiatives across Vietnam and express gratitude to stakeholders for their support. Now in its second year, Samsung CSR Day featured an exhibition of Samsung Electronics Vietnam’s key CSR initiatives alongside an award ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations who have actively contributed to Vietnamese society.

United Kingdom: Supporting Young People and Local Organizations

Employees from Samsung Electronics U.K. volunteered to paint a community center near the SEUK office that provides essential support to vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community.

In addition, Samsung Electronics U.K. employees served as Solve for Tomorrow mentors and joined the Design Thinking Workshop held at Samsung King’s Cross as part of the Solve for Tomorrow 2024/25 competition launch in October. Mentors from different business areas volunteered their time to help young people and students develop and discuss their innovative “tech-for-good” ideas.

▲ Mentors speak with young people during Solve for Tomorrow’s Design Thinking Workshop in the U.K.

“Volunteering to help at Solve for Tomorrow was a truly rewarding experience,” said Daisy Faulkner, a mentor at Solve for Tomorrow’s Design Thinking Workshop. “I return to my work inspired by the students’ ambition, creativity and overall passion for technology.”

Samsung Electronics U.K. also organized a “Back to School Career Talk” to provide career guidance to students from nearby schools. Mentors shared their own career journeys and discussed their roles at Samsung, giving students insight into essential skills and different career paths.

United States: Coming Together on Samsung Day of Service

In October, Samsung Electronics America organized the 14th annual Samsung Day of Service — a hands-on volunteer initiative involving employees from Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Research America. Partnering with over 50 NGOs and schools, Samsung Day of Service focused on key areas like STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, accessibility, sustainability and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). Employees took part in more than 2,000 volunteer activities including showcasing technology careers at workshops, tutoring at elementary schools, preparing meals for those in need, participating in environmental cleanups and building an accessible nature trail.

▲ Employees construct a nature trail using sustainable materials at Flat Rock Brook in Englewood, New Jersey.

“The Samsung Day of Service was a meaningful opportunity for us to connect with the communities in which we live and work,” said Joy Lee, a Samsung Electronics America employee who volunteered at Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, New Jersey. “We hope our efforts will greatly benefit our neighbors.”

▲ Samsung employees serve up meals at Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children, in Paterson, New Jersey.

Samsung’s corporate citizenship activities will continue to bring warmth and support to communities moving forward. Guided by its CSR vision of “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People,” Samsung is committed to empowering young people through education and collaborative efforts — further strengthening the company’s bond with local communities and embodying a spirit of generosity through a variety of meaningful programs.

To celebrate Mother’s Day this year, Samsung employees from all around the world connected with their moms via video call. From reliving special memories to expressing future hopes, the calls brought the families closer together, even when they are apart.

Check out the video below to learn more about their stories.