October 15th, 2025

Written by Brook Doersam

Sam Braun’s career has taken her on a global journey from her roots at Northlake Woods Public School and Waterloo Collegiate Institute (WCI) to the Tisch School Of The Arts in New York City and Cannes Film Festival. 

Sam is a film producer. She has worked extensively in the film industry around the globe. Her work has also included being a screen and theatre actor, appearing in various roles from feature films to commercials. 

In secondary school, Sam uncovered her creative gifts, thanks to the encouraging words of her art teacher. She leaned into her newly uncovered passion, taking as many visual arts classes as she could, ultimately finding success in the arts industry beyond graduation. 

“I think art is hard because you kind of have to put yourself out there and it’s subjective,” said Sam. “So, for a teacher to say, ‘Hey, you’re actually quite good at this’ or ‘you’re good at art,’ that was a big deal.”

With a clear understanding of her talent for art, she made the most of the classes available at WCI to help propel her towards her chosen goal of attending the University of Toronto. While Sam was focused on her academic achievements, she was also involved in her school community as part of the volleyball team. 

Her efforts paid off. She went on to attend the University of Toronto and later the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University’s Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.

As Sam reminisced about her high school days, she gained a new appreciation for how her future career in film was already starting to take root. She shared how her media and film class helped open her eyes to different mediums of art. 

“I was very heavily into painting and sculpture and photography, but media class was a different way to express myself.” 

Sam’s advice for current students is to be curious, try new things and explore as much as possible. Get your hands dirty and try everything available to you. When it comes to discovering your interests or potential future career, remember “what fits you best will find you.”

Celebrating Alumni of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB)

Graduates of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) are accomplishing incredible things in our community, our country and around the world. We are putting a spotlight on their success in their chosen pathways, and how their time at WRDSB supported them to graduation and beyond. WRDSB provides students with a solid foundation for success and we are excited to celebrate the contributions and achievements of WRDSB alumni. 

Learn more about our incredible WRDSB graduates.