SAMANTHA LEONFILS
Founder and Managing Member, ZEAL Collectif, LLC

Samantha Leonfils is a visionary developer, property manager, and community architect based in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She is the Founder and Managing Member of ZEAL Collectif, LLC, a real estate development and hospitality platform designed to transform underutilized properties into safe, dignified, and opportunity-driven living environments. Her work exists at the intersection of housing, hospitality, and community development, where she is building a structured and scalable model that serves both residents and visitors while contributing to long-term neighborhood revitalization.

ZEAL Collectif is the manifestation of a vision Samantha has carried for more than twenty years. From an early age, she recognized that the environments people live in directly influence their ability to grow, succeed, and move forward in life. This awareness became the foundation of her mission to create spaces that do more than provide shelter. She set out to build environments that support stability, encourage growth, and create meaningful connection. Today, that vision has evolved into a disciplined real estate and hospitality platform rooted in intentional development and long-term impact.

Samantha brings a diverse and practical background to her work. She has experience in hospitality, banking, nonprofit collaboration, transportation, food service, event planning, and community engagement. Her time working in financial services provided her with a strong understanding of structure, systems, and accountability. Her experience as an ABA certified Behavior Technician gave her direct insight into how environments influence behavior, decision-making, and outcomes. This perspective continues to shape how she designs spaces, recognizing that thoughtful environments can positively influence individuals and communities as a whole.

Her leadership has also been shaped through early community involvement and development programs. She is a former Youth of the Year and Youth Ambassador through the Boys and Girls Club and a former trainee under the Kellogg Foundation leadership development initiatives focused on community change. She has worked with foreign exchange students and has consistently sought opportunities to engage across cultures, experiences, and perspectives.

Samantha’s academic background reflects her commitment to both hospitality excellence and operational strength. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Siena Heights University and an Associate Degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism from Lake Michigan College. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, further strengthening her focus on safety, preparedness, and resilient environments.

Today, Samantha serves as a property manager actively overseeing properties under her brand. She credits her growth and ability to step into this role to both faith and the support of trusted individuals who believed in her vision and allowed her the opportunity to manage and lead with responsibility. She operates with a deep sense of accountability, understanding that managing property is not just about assets, but about the people and lives connected to those spaces.

Her upbringing played a significant role in shaping her mindset and direction. Raised by Gerald and Stephanie Gunter, Samantha developed a foundation rooted in faith, discipline, and perseverance. She was further shaped by the influence of her siblings, mentors, local educational institutions such as Lake Michigan College, and the communities that invested in her growth. These experiences instilled in her the belief that with faith, consistency, and action, it is possible to build something meaningful and lasting.

Samantha is also the mother of six children, who she describes as her greatest source of inspiration and the living embodiment of ZEAL. Each of her children carries a unique identity, talent, and purpose that collectively shaped the meaning behind ZEAL Collectif. Watching them grow and develop their individual strengths continues to influence how she builds environments that support creativity, expression, and opportunity.

Her children’s interests reflect the breadth of vision behind the brand. They include passions in business, wellness, art, architecture, science, animal care, design, fashion, music, psychology, reading, and sensory exploration. These influences are intentionally reflected in the environments Samantha is creating, from educational and creative spaces to wellness and experiential features such as the ZEAL Play Lab and ZEAL Glam Garden.

Samantha’s love for Caribbean hospitality and culture also plays a defining role in the ZEAL Collectif experience. Her vision is to bring a sense of warmth, vibrancy, and cultural exposure to Southwest Michigan, creating spaces where people can experience elements of global culture even if they do not have the opportunity to travel. This influence is reflected in the aesthetic, atmosphere, and overall guest experience she is building.

At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to Benton Harbor. Samantha often describes the city as her first responsibility and first investment. Her goal is to contribute to the transformation of the community by creating a soft college-town environment where housing, tourism, education, and opportunity intersect. Through ZEAL Collectif, she is building a platform that not only generates income but also creates pathways for growth, stability, and long-term impact for individuals and families.

Samantha Leonfils is not simply developing properties. She is building a system designed to elevate people, strengthen communities, and create a lasting legacy through intentional, structured, and purpose-driven development.