West Branch – Samantha Fabbri
Samantha Fabbri, the community development fellow for West Branch, is an entrepreneur and passionate community advocate. She is owner of an upscale boutique called The Silver Lining, which includes a Modern Craft wine tasting room. She prides herself in selecting products that make shopping a unique experience. The boutique partnership with Modern Craft Winery, the first of its type in the State of Michigan, adds a new dimension to the shopping experience and offers wine tasting of great locally made wine.
It is her passion for West Branch to succeed that keeps her involved in the goings on of the community. Her leadership as chairperson for the City of West Branch DDA, treasurer for the West Branch Area Retail Merchants Association, and lead organizer for the Downtown Promotions committee, have had a positive impact on the vibrancy of the area. She has headed weekly evening events called Fabulous Fridays, considered the hallmark of the community, bringing hundreds of people to town each Friday evening throughout the summer. Her leadership in the promotions committee has brought many organizations and businesses together and has won multiple statewide awards including the Michigan Municipal League Regional Award for Excellence.
Samantha’s passion extends well into the community, assisting and supporting many local events and she was recognized by the Ogemaw County EDC as Business Professional of the Year. Her activities within the downtown business district are noticed by many as she partners with the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to promote West Branch. She has received three Chamber Outstanding Business Awards for innovation, visionary and community involvement.
Samantha has attended Indiana University and Oakland Community College as business, marketing and advertising majors. Past employment also includes working for Delphi, an automotive lighting supplier, coordinating automotive part level quality performance requirements to AIAG standards. She also worked as a manager for Team USA Quality Systems, coordinating quality system implementation in manufacturing environments.
Samantha’s love for the outdoors takes her to interesting places, like hiking and exploring the caverns and mountains of the desert southwest. She loves kayaking and spending time on any of Michigan’s great – and small – lakes.
Samantha is excited to be part of the Rising Tide Project and to work to coordinate and implement the strategies of the program. She is proud to call West Branch home and understands the value to all in the community.