Meet the Team
Samantha Longo
CEO and Founder
Samantha Longo is the CEO and Founder of The Social Butterfly Foundation.
Samantha met both Marileidy Morel and Tania Bentley when she enrolled at Montclair State University in 2006, and started to pursue her Bachelors Degree in Television Production and Journalism. Samantha and Marileidy created a bond with one another when in Spring 2008 they both joined the same sorority together, Omega Phi Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc. Since then Samantha and Marileidy have become best friends. Marileidy and Tania became significant women in Samantha’s life from being Maid of Honor at Samantha’s wedding to both being named Madrinas (Godmothers), to Samantha’s daughter Giuliana. The three of us became very close. Marileidy and Samantha had already established a blog business together since 2013. After the passing of her business partner Marileidy Morel, Samantha decided to turn their current blog into a foundation in Mari’s honor that would help young women excel in their educational paths, leadership and career empowerment. Samantha took this idea to Tania and immediately she wanted to get involved in the founding and creation of this 501c3 organization.
Samantha Longo is a Media Educator for Memorial High School in West New York, NJ and former Digital Media Operator for NBC Universal where she provided new media for clients like iTunes, Amazon, InDemand, Microsoft and more.
She also worked as an Outreach Producer for MSG Varsity featuring high school sports and events in the tri-state area.
Longo is a graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting. She also is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire with a Masters of Science in Marketing and concentration in Social Media.
Longo aims to make a slight difference in her students lives and this foundation in order to reach and change many young women’s lives. As a first generation Cuban - American, Samantha is also fluent in Spanish.
Tania Bentley
Co-Founder and Director of Development
Tania Bentley is the Co-Founder and Director of Development of The Social Butterfly Foundation.
Tania met both Samantha and Marileidy Morel when she moved to New Jersey from South Africa and enrolled at Montclair State University in 2006 to pursue her Bachelors Degree in Television Production and Journalism. Tania and Marileidy shared the title of Maid of Honor at Samantha’s wedding, and then later were both named Madrinas (Godmothers), to Samantha’s daughter Giuliana. The three were very close. After Mari’s passing on July 4, 2020, Samantha shared her vision of wanting to start a foundation in Mari’s honor that would promote young female education, leadership and career empowerment, and Tania immediately wanted to get involved in the founding and formation of this unique 501c3 organization.
Tania Bentley is Senior Manager for the new Institute for Global Racial Justice at Rutgers University-Newark and former Senior Producer of the critically acclaimed television series on public policy, law and social justice issues, "Due Process," airing on NJTV PBS, and WNET 13. Tania assumed the roles of Managing Producer, Writer, Videographer, Editor and Technical Director and was in charge of all content development, and all aspects of field and studio production for "Due Process."
In 2020, Tania produced a one-hour primetime television special on the impact of COVID-19 titled “American Cities Rebuilding.” National, state and local expert panelists examined the issues of education, infrastructure, healthcare and social justice that would determine how cities can emerge as resilient and thriving ecosystems in the wake of COVID-19. The special aired on WNET and NJTV PBS and featured guests such as Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Anchor on CNN; US Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to name a few.
She has been honored with 7 Emmy Awards and 20 Emmy nominations for her work in television journalism.
Bentley is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcasting.
Bentley balances her passion for journalism with her desire to make a difference through social activism and charitable work. A native of South Africa, Tania is also fluent in four languages.