Samantha Linnett serves as the innovation design lead for the city of Syracuse's Office of Accountability, Performance, and Innovation, or Innovation Team (i-team). Linnett uses her communications and human-centered-design skills to perform community outreach and manage stakeholder relations, as well project manage initiatives to address city challenges. The majority of her work with the Innovation Team has centered around housing policy and public engagement. She has previously worked with the City’s division of code enforcement to improve the health and safety of residents’ homes. Her current work focuses on finding ways to reduce the number of forced moves that Syracuse residents face every year.

Prior to starting with the i-team, Linnett studied at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She graduated in May 2016 with her bachelor's degree in public relations and public policy.