Employee Spotlight: Celebrating Samantha Shapiro, Sales Director, on International Women’s Day

In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on Samantha Shapiro, our incredible Sales Director at IMT. She’s not only a powerhouse in sales but also a leader, mentor, and working mom who has navigated a successful career while raising a family. We sat down with her to talk about her career journey, leadership philosophy, and how she balances it all.

Can you share a bit about your journey at IMT? How did you start, and what led you to your current role as Sales Director?

Before joining IMT, I spent three and a half years at NetApp, where I was already familiar with IMT and had done some business with them. Eleven years ago, I made the leap into the reseller world, and it’s been one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made. IMT has been with me through some of life’s biggest milestones while continuously pushing me to grow both personally and professionally.

What have been some of the most pivotal moments in your career that helped shape your leadership style?

I’ve grown up with this company, so in many ways, time itself has been a key factor in my growth. Throughout my years at IMT, I’ve experienced incredible wins and tough losses—both of which have taught me invaluable lessons. These experiences have shaped the way I lead, make decisions, and support my team today.

Were there any challenges or obstacles you faced as you advanced in your career, and how did you overcome them?

Challenges are inevitable, but I’ve never viewed them as roadblocks—rather, they’re opportunities to find creative solutions. One thing I’ve been grateful for at IMT is that I never felt like being a woman in this field was a disadvantage. I’ve always believed that if I worked hard and stayed dedicated, I could achieve anything.

What advice would you give to other women looking to break into leadership roles in sales or other traditionally male-dominated fields?

Don’t look at being a woman in a male-dominated field as a challenge—see it as a strength. Women bring incredible qualities to leadership roles, and those differences make us better. Focus on what you can control: your work ethic, loyalty, communication skills, and character. Those are the things that make a great leader, regardless of gender.

Balancing a leadership role while raising a family is no small feat—what strategies have helped you manage both successfully?

I won’t lie—at first, it wasn’t easy. My career was always my top priority; I even moved across the country at 23 to pursue it. But when I became a mom, I quickly realized that I couldn’t give 150% to both my job and my family at the same time. What I did realize, though, is that women are built for this. We know how to compartmentalize and focus on the task at hand. Some days, I excel in my career; other days, I’m all in as a mom to my two little ones. Both roles bring me incredible joy, and I make time for both.

Have you ever faced moments where you had to make difficult career or family-related decisions? How did you navigate them?

Absolutely. When I found out we were expecting our second child, we made the decision to move back to the East Coast. At the time, most of my business was based on the West Coast, and I knew this move meant more travel for me. But it was the right decision for our family. Thankfully, I have incredible clients who supported the transition, and IMT has been behind me every step of the way. Ironically, I ended up moving to a small town in Massachusetts where IMT already had an East Coast office, so I was welcomed with open arms!

What workplace policies or cultural aspects at IMT have supported you the most as a working parent?

Even as IMT has grown, we’ve maintained a family-like culture, which has been invaluable as my personal life has evolved alongside my career. My team has celebrated my children’s births, supported me through life’s ups and downs, and made me feel truly valued. Longevity at a company is rare these days, but IMT’s unwavering support has been a game-changer for me. I know they’ve got my back, and that kind of support is priceless.

As a leader, how do you support and mentor other women in your team or within the company?

I love seeing how much IMT has grown over the years, especially when it comes to female representation. We now have women in so many key roles across sales, marketing, finance, and support. I’m a huge advocate for women in tech, and I’m always here to mentor, support, and celebrate the success of other women in our company.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and why do you think it’s important to celebrate women’s achievements in the workplace?

In today’s world, where division is so common, I think it’s important to focus on what unites us. Women are incredible. The fact that we can build successful careers while raising families is a testament to our strength. We take on so much, and we do it with positivity and determination. We are truly badasses—so watch out, because we’re changing the world!

If you could give one piece of advice to women aspiring to grow their careers while raising a family, what would it be?

Let go of the mom guilt. It’s important for my daughter to see me thriving in my career, just as it is for my son to see that his mom can do it all, regardless of gender. Be present with your kids when you’re with them, and don’t let being a working mom make you feel like you’re missing out. You’re showing them what’s possible. Believe in yourself—because with hard work and determination, you truly can do anything.

And as we say here in New England… LFG!