Samara Palko is the Director of School Partnerships. She brings more than 25 years of experience in education, public policy, and government relations. Her career spans leadership roles in both public and private education as a teacher, principal, administrator, and statewide education leader. Before coming to AFC, she served as Director of Education and Government Relations for the California Catholic Conference, where she led statewide legislative advocacy, public policy initiatives, and coalition-building efforts on behalf of California’s Catholic and public-school students and families.

Samara holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from California State University, Sacramento, and is passionate about building partnerships that empower families and expand access to high-quality educational options for every child.

She and her husband live in Sacramento, California, and are the proud parents of three children; two are currently attending college, and one is in law school.