DCFYI

Samantha ("Sam") Buchalter began volunteering with DCFYI in 2021 and joined the Board of Directors in 2026. Known as “Sam” by many of the teens, her commitment to DCFYI is grounded in her belief that every young person deserves a consistent, trusted adult in their corner. Sam brings a hands-on understanding of the organization’s work, having supported teens through key milestones such as college planning, workforce readiness, and building stable support networks. 
Professionally, Sam is a Principal at The Russell Group, a Washington, D.C.–based government affairs and strategic consulting firm specializing in food, agriculture, and sustainability policy. In her role, she leads legislative and regulatory strategy for a diverse portfolio of clients, manages complex coalitions, and advises senior executives on navigating federal policy and stakeholder engagement. Her experience in governance, strategic planning, and public-private partnership development strengthens DCFYI’s efforts to expand its impact and build durable partnerships that support long-term outcomes for the young people it serves.