When Evan Samson arrived in Southwest Florida in 2016, he brought with him a wealth of cultural experience—having lived in Saipan, the Philippines and Las Vegas. But it was in Sarasota that he began making an impact.

“I’ve always been proud of my Filipino and Saipan roots,” says Samson, 35, the integrated marketing communications officer for Venice’s DMSI, an international company that specializes in fiber optics. “These experiences shaped my approach to work, marketing and community engagement. They taught me how to connect with people from different cultures and use that understanding as an advantage for collaboration and networking.”

Three years ago, Samson, who now splits his time between Southwest Florida and Georgia, began working with organizations like Sarasota’s Gulf Coast Filipino American Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte County’s Filipino American Society, Inc. to elevate their profiles. Last October, he secured the first Filipino American History Month proclamation in Manatee County. “It was a proud moment,” he says. “We’re planning to make it an annual tradition.”

Around that same time, Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, and Samson’s advocacy took on a new urgency. He helped organize Port Charlotte’s first Barrio Fiesta, a celebration of Filipino culture and cuisine, which doubled as a hurricane relief fundraiser. With more than 200 attendees, the event raised $8,000 and blended cultural celebration with community support.

“It was a risk since so many people were dealing with loss, but people also told me it was a day to forget about what had happened,” says Samson. “That’s the power of coming together—it makes people feel hope.”

Last December, he also helped spearhead the area’s first Asian Night Market with the Gulf Coast Filipino American Chamber of Commerce. The reaction from the Filipino community? “‘Finally, there’s an event happening that includes us,’” he says. The Night Market served as a pilot for future annual celebrations, which Samson wants to see grow and become cornerstone events for locals. Filipino Americans are “vibrant, warm and welcoming,” he says. “We love festivals, food and connecting with others. But there’s also a misconception that we’re all nurses or in the medical field. While many are, we’re diverse—teachers, business leaders and creatives. Our term is bayanihan—which means being hospitable.”

As someone who has lived and worked in diverse communities, Samson understands the nuances of building unity. “To create a successful project, you have to recognize everyone’s strengths and weaknesses and bring those ideas together,” he says. “Collaboration is key.”

A graduate of the Gulf Coast Leadership Institute’s class of 2023, Samson recalls completing a personality test that declared him a “connector.” “At first, I didn’t understand what it meant,” he says. “But now I see how connecting people and groups can lead to something bigger—it can help others start their journey or make an impact, too.”

As Samson looks ahead to his next decade, his goals remain rooted in learning and giving back. “I never want to stop discovering,” he says. “Philanthropy is always on my mind—how I can help and engage with the community. That’s what drives me.”