A Gator Connection Jump-Starts Alumna’s Career in Medical Device Marketing

It all began with a connection. A Gator connection.

Samantha Bretz '18 started as a finance intern at Boston Scientific (a medical device company) through a connection from a Tri Delta sister. Little did Bretz know that the connection would transform the trajectory of her career and land her the honor of being listed as a 30 Under 30 by the Pittsburgh Business Times.

After majoring in economics with minors in French and dance and movement studies at Allegheny College, Bretz continued to excel at Boston Scientific. Bretz has made it her mission to make meaning of data in all the roles she's held, whether it was in finance, sales operations, or marketing.

"Whatever job you're in, be excellent at it, even if it's not your forever job," says Bretz.

In her current role, Bretz manages a portfolio of medical devices and develops the product strategy for a $200M global business as the product operations marketing manager. In this role, she interfaces with an array of subject matter experts, from engineers to physicians.

"My Allegheny experience was integral to landing where I am now in medical device marketing," remarks Bretz, who provides the example of her Senior Comprehensive Project and faculty mentors.

Her Senior Comprehensive Project investigated the intersection of minimum wage and poverty, but she notes that it provided her with the skillset to think creatively and solve a problem.

She reflects that professors of business and economics, Tomas Nonnenmacher and Stephen Onyeiwu, were influential in shaping her view of data through a lens that engaged her as a student.

Outside of work, she serves on the board of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and was previously on the board of the Junior League of Pittsburgh. She credits her foundational leadership skills with her experience as president of the Orchesis Dance Company and the Lambda Sigma Honor Society that continue to serve her.

Study Economics at Allegheny