Name
Caitlin Sampsell
Age
39
Company/Organization
Berrien County Public Safety Communication Center (911)
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
BCPSCC is the central 911 Emergency Communication Center, providing primary 911 call handling and dispatching services to all of Berrien County, with the exception of Niles City, who we provide backup services for.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Anthropology, Michigan State University Master of Public Administration, Western Michigan University
Accomplishments
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of building a life that blends family, public service, professional achievement, creativity, and a bit of adventure. My greatest accomplishment is bringing three amazing kiddos into the world and raising these awesome little humans. I’ve also found a creative outlet through theatre, serving on the Twin City Players Board of Directors and acting in and contributing to the production of numerous shows. Professionally, I earned a Master of Public Administration degree, became certified as an Emergency Number Professional, and have dedicated my career to advancing public safety and 911 services. In Berrien County, I partnered with RESA and Berrien Springs High School to launch a 911 Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway, secured more than $8 million in grant funding for public safety, and helped update and enhance the countywide public safety radio network. I’ve served as Secretary of the Michigan Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, participated in numerous state and national 911 committees and workgroups, and presented at multiple 911 conferences on leadership and stress response. I’m also a charter member of the Vanguard Circle with Pathfinder Resilience, a group of public-safety leaders focused on building meaningful high-performing cultures. Outside of work, I’ve challenged myself physically and completed a 10K by running the 5.7-mile Great Turtle Run on Mackinac Island plus some additional mileage. And, going a little further back, I was a member of Tower Guard at Michigan State University, a sophomore honors organization steeped in history. Together, these experiences reflect the things I value most: family, service, leadership, creativity, continuous growth, and occasionally saying “sure, why not?” to an adventure.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
I am training to run a half marathon and I want to master a handstand.
Current City
Coloma
Place You Were Born
St. Joseph
What was your first job?
Sandwich Artist at Subway
What’s the best advice you ever got?
If you don’t focus on your wellness, you’ll be forced to focus on your illness. Ricardo Martinez, a colleague in 911 and creator of the “I am 911” movement often refers to the phrase “Put on your oxygen mask first” – you can’t effectively help others long term if you don’t first take care of yourself. This is often a difficult concept for those of us that serve as “helpers.” https://www.youroxygenmaskfirst.com has an abundance of resources to support those that support others.
Who inspires you most?
I am fortunate to have known many inspiring people in my life including my sixth grade teacher Joan Polaskey and my friend and colleague Chris Spence, Director of the Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police Operational Communications Centre. A friend recently passed away and I learned so many inspiring things about her that I never knew, which has highlighted the fact that each person has incredible value and wisdom that is not always seen on the surface.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
People are often surprised that I don’t drink coffee. I enjoy the smell but not the taste. I also may have missed my calling as a speed skater- a coach offered me an opportunity in college to try the sport with the correct equipment but I had to pass so that I could complete my exam essays in time. I’ll never know if it could have been my thing!
What do you love to do in your downtime?
All things theatre, read, craft, do escape rooms with my son, puzzles, and play board games.
What book are you reading now?
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, Mission-Critical Mindset by Dr. Renee Thornton, and re-reading the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Volunteer activity you love the most.
Theatre. The majority of what I do in theatre, whether acting or on the production team or crew, is volunteer based. Theatre creates magic through the telling of stories and expression and it sparks connection with all kinds of people. There is nothing quite like the theatre. I do a lot of work with Twin City Players and occasionally the Ghostlight theatre. I also do volunteer work through Women’s Service League and Rotary of St. Joseph – Benton Harbor, and have previously served on boards and committees of state and national 911 associations.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
Helping others directly or through creating experiences fills my cup. I do the work that I do because I feel called to do difficult things for others. There is also comradery in service and the opportunity to learn from others; we all need greater connection with others.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
The ability to heal
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
Meaningful memories and an influence to always strive to be better.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
My preferred language of appreciation is words of affirmation, so being named to the 40 Under 40 speaks to my heart. I pursue challenges and develop systems of excellence so that others can perform at their highest level; I want to have an impact on other’s lives. The work that we do in 911 is behind the scenes, so it is an honor to be able to represent the heroes that work under the headset. We often don’t realize the impact that we have on others or broadly share our accomplishments, and it is so powerful when someone celebrates you and shares their perspective with you. Thank you to Larry Nielsen for being my cheerleader and lifting me up.
