Samantha (Sammy) Hansen n grew up just outside Denver, Colorado. Sammy first experienced anxiety at the age of 10, followed by depression in her late teens—a common experience for many young people growing up in America. This period became a defining turning point in her life and deeply influenced the direction of her academic and professional journey.

Navigating her own mental health challenges required Sammy to begin learning, often for the first time, how her brain and body worked together, and what factors contribute to a happy, healthy mental and emotional state. This curiosity—born out of necessity—sparked a lasting interest in understanding human behavior, emotional regulation, and well-being.

Motivated by these experiences, Sammy went on to study Psychology and Anthropology at the University of Oregon, seeking both scientific and cultural perspectives on mental health. During her time at university, she worked in the University of Oregon’s Child and Family Center’s Brain and Behavior Lab, where she gained hands-on experience and further deepened her passion for child development and psychology.

After graduating, Sammy was drawn to the idea of using business as a tool for meaningful impact. She spent seven years supporting the business operations of charter schools across the United States, an experience that revealed many of the deep inequities embedded within the public education system and broader social and cultural structures in the United States. Working with at-risk populations profoundly moved Sammy and highlighted how access to resources, emotional support, and opportunity varies widely across communities.

These experiences ignited a growing urgency to find meaningful ways to support families across all socioeconomic backgrounds, and reinforced her belief that emotional tools and mental health education should be accessible to all—not limited by circumstance or privilege.

Hindsight Storybooks was born from this passion and purpose. Reflecting on her own struggles, Sammy wanted to use hindsight to better prepare children for the emotional realities of growing up. By turning hard-earned life lessons into accessible, engaging stories, she aims to give children the tools she wishes she’d had—helping young readers face adversity with confidence, compassion, and clarity.