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.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
NewBridge School is San Diego’s only school dedicated to the education of students with dyslexia and related learning profiles. For 30 years we have successfully served students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, receptive/expressive language disorders, ADHD, executive functioning and memory deficits. Students transition successfully into academically rigorous high schools and colleges across the country. Why NewBridge? Training, training, training (plus intensive individualization, and comprehensive program design). All teachers are trained and retrained biennially in Orton-Gillingham, the only approach proven to remediate dyslexia based on Science of Reading research, and complete a year-long training program. Every aspect of our program is designed around our students’ learning styles and needs. Every class is taught by a highly-trained expert, and our Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy teams embed throughout the day. Our multisensory, multi-tiered math program has been developed in conjunction with sister schools and experts across the country. Don’t wait—early intervention is magic!
The Children’s School (TCS) is an independent school in La Jolla working with students from toddler through eighth grade. Rooted in the belief that every child has unique strengths and limitless potential, TCS provides a joyful, challenging education that inspires curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Experienced teachers know each student well and create meaningful opportunities for academic, social, and emotional growth through personalized instruction and hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. A culture of respect, inclusion, and collaboration encourages students to ask questions, take thoughtful risks, and develop a strong sense of responsibility to one another and the world around them. At TCS, learning extends beyond the classroom through meaningful connections with the local community and natural environment. Graduates leave TCS with a strong academic foundation, a sense of purpose, and the character to thrive in high school and beyond as engaged learners, compassionate leaders, and thoughtful citizens.
Enrollment: 240
Grades: Toddler – Grade 8
Tuition: $10,800 – $34,000
Deadline: Priority Application & Tuition Assistance for new students: Feb. 1, 2027
Gender: All-inclusive
Details Progressive, independent school. No religious affiliation
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
