Samarhia Giffel

Samarhia is the Administrative Services Officer for the City of Grand Rapids Utilities. Her oversight includes financial operations, customer service, grant administration, affordability, community engagement, AMI, and innovative solutions. She has operated in this role for over six years, bringing strategic leadership, and continuous improvement experience from her previous role in the insurance industry. Sam has been tasked with developing a regional AMI program and a water affordability program for the City of Grand Rapids and its system’s users. She is a member of the Kent County Community Action Advisory board and serves as Vice President for the West Michigan Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. She also volunteers as the Communication Chair for the Michigan Section of AWWA and is a mentor for her alma mater, Grand Valley State University, master’s in public administration students.