Carolyn Sams Mason

Carolyn Sams Mason helps mission-driven organizations design strategic initiatives and high-impact campaigns. With over 15 years experience of working across different social issues, she is a swiss army knife of creative direction, strategy, and facilitation.

Carolyn was co-founder of First Seating, an innovative consulting process that helps organizations tackle their biggest challenges through thoughtfully curated workshops, strategic facilitation, and family-style meals. Previously, Carolyn led creative and communication teams at GOOD, Invisible Children, and Participant Media, working with a diverse cross-section of brands and nonprofits (Google, Gates Foundation, American Express, Levi’s, Sundance, Nestlé, Starbucks, YouTube). She has spoken at SXSW, was mentored by Seth Godin, and won many awards for her creative work (including a Webby Audience award and TED’s Ads Worth Spreading). Most recently, Carolyn was an independent creative consultant for the City of Santa Monica, UCLA, and Goodwill of Southern California.

Carolyn received her BA in Creative Writing and Fine Arts from the University of Southern California. She is Board President for Materials & Applications, an innovative nonprofit dedicated to building a public culture of experimental architecture, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband. She is most comfortable cooking elaborate meals for friends and family, and dedicates any remaining free time to her writing and art practice.