Known for her boundless energy and belief in the power of connection, Samantha Scholl has been named Vice President of Innovation at Better Business Bureau Pacific Southwest, Central and Inland California (BBB), recognizing her transformative leadership, infectious drive for excellence, and dedication to uplifting people and businesses alike.
Scholl joined BBB in 2021, bringing with her a 28-year career in the hospitality industry. Her transition from hospitality operations and consulting to the nonprofit sector has been a cornerstone of her success. By applying a “people-first” service mindset, rooted in years of running operations and building community partnerships, Scholl has redefined how BBB engages with modern entrepreneurs and small business owners.
“Samantha embodies the very best of the BBB mission,” said Michael Sedio, BBB’s VP, Chief Operations Officer, and General Counsel. “Her ability to inspire trust, strengthen collaboration, and create meaningful programs that support ethical business growth has elevated our organization both locally and nationally. Her grace and professionalism make her an outstanding leader and a remarkable steward of our brand.”
Scholl has been a pivotal force in bridging the gap between traditional consumer protection and proactive business advocacy. She has overseen the nationally expanded BBB Breakthrough Accelerator, and under her guidance, the program has graduated more than 200 underserved entrepreneurs, many of whom have transitioned into BBB Accredited Businesses, Torch Awards for Ethics Winners, and influential voices within the regional business community.
Scholl’s leadership extends to ignite sparked by BBB, a collaborative innovation hub serving San Diego, Phoenix and Fresno. Under her direction, ignite has evolved into a vibrant ecosystem for professional growth, hosting an average of 1,600 visitors and facilitating nearly 2 I00 meetings and events each month. Drawing on her extensive background in hospitality, she has cultivated an environment where organizations feel empowered to connect and grow, exuding her personal mantra: “You can’t have community without ‘unity”.”
A dynamic communicator, Scholl has significantly reframed the public perception of BBB through strategic storytelling. Her presence has been featured across major media outlets, including FOX News, KUSI San Diego, Good Business San Diego, and various regional business journals and podcasts.
Beyond her professional achievements, Scholl is a dedicated community advocate and volunteer. She actively supports and serves with organizations including the San Diego Equality Business Association, Shoreline Community Services, Cause San Diego, and many others. Her leadership extends beyond her role, rooted in service, collaboration, and creating spaces where others can succeed. Her contributions have been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal through inclusion on San Diego’s Top 500 Most Influential Leaders list and the Top 50 LGBTQ+ Leaders of Influence list, along with the Inclusive Champion Award, the She Makes History Award, and the BBB Excellence Award from the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
“I do this work because businesses grow best when people feel seen, supported, and trusted. My purpose is to remove barriers, open doors, and create spaces where entrepreneurs know they are not alone. When people have access to the right tools, real relationships, and a community that believes in them, they build businesses that last. That kind of growth carries forward, strengthening families, neighborhoods, and the communities they serve,” shares Scholl.
In her role as Vice President of Innovation, Scholl leads a cross-functional team of 10 professionals across California and Arizona, building programs and partnerships that translate ideas into real-world impact. Through public speaking and deep cross-organizational collaboration, she helps shape an innovation strategy grounded in trust, access, and people-first leadership, ensuring the work leads to measurable outcomes for entrepreneurs and the communities they serve.
Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.
“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”
Courtesy of Milan Design
Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.
At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.
Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.
At any given time, there are roughly 200 research investigations and clinical trials being conducted at Scripps Health in as many as 25 medical specialties. Research and patient care go hand-in-hand at Scripps. Those studies can be categorized as clinical trials of a medication or device that are conducted by Scripps physicians and studies designed by Scripps’ physicians and clinicians. Click here to learn about three exciting studies underway at Scripps and the benefits to patients.
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Scripps has recently unveiled new features in the MyScripps patient portal and mobile app to help patients connect with their primary care team and simplify the payment process. Among the recent updates is the addition of primary care E-visits for minor conditions. Patients who have an established primary care physician can schedule an E-visit, complete an online questionnaire and, if needed, send a photo. Their doctor can then advise and prescribe medication, when appropriate. Autopay is also now available through MyScripps. Patients can enable or disable autopay, allowing them to more easily manage payments. Learn more about MyScripps and how it helps patients stay connected here.
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Farrah Adams had a persistent dull ache in her lower back that her massage therapist suggested might be caused by the way she sat or drove. That explanation seemed reasonable, but when coupled with heavy, painful periods led the then 46-year-old to seek answers. When she looks back on it now, she’s beyond grateful she trusted her gut. She made an appointment with a Scripps OB-GYN, who determined she had Stage 3 cervical cancer that had spread to several lymph nodes. Farrah was overwhelmed, but immediately found a “champion” in Scripps Clinic gynecologic oncologist Jo Marie Tran Janco, MD. After undergoing successful treatment at Scripps Cancer Center, Farrah is now using her story to inspire other women to make time for care. Read more of her story here.
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In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here.
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Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
