Patricia “Pat” Gillum Sams’ career has taken her on an interesting journey from management in the insurance industry to leading diversity initiatives at an electric, sewer and water company to community organizer and a national podcaster. She spent 23 years with State Farm Insurance Companies in Auto and Health Claims as well as Human Resources. She earned numerous professional designations and licenses during her extensive insurance career. 

After leaving State Farm in 2006 to be a stay-at-home mom to her two young sons, Pat returned to the work force a few years later as a program manager supporting diversity grants at Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus. She joined JEA in 2011 as manager of a newly created department, Emerging Workforce Strategies. She managed diversity initiatives and acted as a diversity change agent for the company where she managed projects and programs that promoted employee engagement, fostered a culture of inclusion and branded JEA in the community as an employer of choice.

Pat earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast from Florida State University. She has served on numerous boards and held countless leadership roles in organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc. the Jacksonville Chapter of The Links, Inc. and The Continental Societies, Inc. She was a founding member of United Way Women in Local Leadership (WILL) and was in the 2021 Leadership Jacksonville Class. Pat was recognized by WJXT and the Graham Media Group at their inaugural Jacksonville Image Awards with the 2020 Trailblazer Award. The award recognized pioneers who inspire others to follow their path to greatness with innovative ideas that challenge the status quo. Pat was recognized by the Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. as their 2021 “Delta of the Year,” she was recently recognized as Jacksonville’s 2022 Women with Heart by Volunteers in Medicine, and last month during Mental Health Awareness Month, she was honored to receive the Shades of Green Community Influencer Award presented by the Step by Step 4 Help Foundation, in recognition for her work in touching lives and making a difference in the field of Mental Health awareness.

Pat is the Founder and CEO of The Sistah Covenant, a platform for women of color to empower other women of color. Her podcast launched November 1, 2020; during these challenging times, from pandemic to protest, Pat felt it important to create a trusted space to provide a platform for powerful and purposed women to connect and encourage authentic dialogue around relevant life topics such as politics, social unrest, finances, spiritual connections, relationships, health and wellness, and professional advancement. As Pat began to put plans in motion for the next chapter of her life, Pat retired from JEA in September 2021, and formed The Legacy Group  L-A-M, LLC, where she is the President & CEO of a consulting firm dedicated to corporate and organizational Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: branding, programming, sourcing, professional coaching, learning & development and community engagement. In addition, upon retirement, Pat had the vision to continue her impactful work and take her passion for mentoring young women to the next level. She created The Legacy League, Inc. in October 2021, where she serves as the Founder/CEO; a leadership development program designed to mentor and empower young professional women of color to positively impact their communities and the world.

Pat married her college sweetheart, Vincent, 36 years ago. They have two adult sons, Austin who is a 2021 graduate of Hampton University, and lives in Washington, D.C. and Myles who is a recent 2022 graduate of Florida State University, and is preparing to relocate to Seattle, Washington to begin his career. They have been members of The Bethel Church for more than 33 years. Pat is a Community Influencer; she is passionate about connecting people with purpose, touching lives and making a difference. She has been actively involved in the Jacksonville community for over 35 years.

About Pat Gillum Sams

Patricia “Pat” Gillum Sams’ career has taken her on an interesting journey from management in the insurance industry to leading diversity initiatives at an electric, sewer and water company to community organizer and a national podcaster. She spent 23 years with State Farm Insurance Companies in Auto and Health Claims as well as Human Resources. She earned numerous professional designations and licenses during her extensive insurance career. 

After leaving State Farm in 2006 to be a stay-at-home mom to her two young sons, Pat returned to the work force a few years later as a program manager supporting diversity grants at Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus. She joined JEA in 2011 as manager of a newly created department, Emerging Workforce Strategies. She managed diversity initiatives and acted as a diversity change agent for the company where she managed projects and programs that promoted employee engagement, fostered a culture of inclusion and branded JEA in the community as an employer of choice.

Pat earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast from Florida State University. She has served on numerous boards and held countless leadership roles in organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc. the Jacksonville Chapter of The Links, Inc. and The Continental Societies, Inc. She was a founding member of United Way Women in Local Leadership (WILL) and was in the 2021 Leadership Jacksonville Class. Pat was recognized by WJXT and the Graham Media Group at their inaugural Jacksonville Image Awards with the 2020 Trailblazer Award. The award recognized pioneers who inspire others to follow their path to greatness with innovative ideas that challenge the status quo. Pat was recognized by the Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. as their 2021 “Delta of the Year,” she was recently recognized as Jacksonville’s 2022 Women with Heart by Volunteers in Medicine, and last month during Mental Health Awareness Month, she was honored to receive the Shades of Green Community Influencer Award presented by the Step by Step 4 Help Foundation, in recognition for her work in touching lives and making a difference in the field of Mental Health awareness.

Pat is the Founder and CEO of The Sistah Covenant, a platform for women of color to empower other women of color. Her podcast launched November 1, 2020; during these challenging times, from pandemic to protest, Pat felt it important to create a trusted space to provide a platform for powerful and purposed women to connect and encourage authentic dialogue around relevant life topics such as politics, social unrest, finances, spiritual connections, relationships, health and wellness, and professional advancement. As Pat began to put plans in motion for the next chapter of her life, Pat retired from JEA in September 2021, and formed The Legacy Group  L-A-M, LLC, where she is the President & CEO of a consulting firm dedicated to corporate and organizational Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: branding, programming, sourcing, professional coaching, learning & development and community engagement. In addition, upon retirement, Pat had the vision to continue her impactful work and take her passion for mentoring young women to the next level. She created The Legacy League, Inc. in October 2021, where she serves as the Founder/CEO; a leadership development program designed to mentor and empower young professional women of color to positively impact their communities and the world.

Pat married her college sweetheart, Vincent, 36 years ago. They have two adult sons, Austin who is a 2021 graduate of Hampton University, and lives in Washington, D.C. and Myles who is a recent 2022 graduate of Florida State University, and is preparing to relocate to Seattle, Washington to begin his career. They have been members of The Bethel Church for more than 33 years. Pat is a Community Influencer; she is passionate about connecting people with purpose, touching lives and making a difference. She has been actively involved in the Jacksonville community for over 35 years.