After graduating with a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa, Sam served an AmeriCorps term in New Orleans, writing grants and copy for the housing rehabilitation nonprofit St. Bernard Project. Because he wanted to live closer to family and pursue a career in nonprofit development (and enjoy weather other than hot and hotter), he moved to the Twin Cities.

Before joining the Achieve Twin Cities team, Sam worked with the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools and Conservation Minnesota, where he developed his writing skills and became better acquainted with the local philanthropic community and public education policy.

At Achieve, Sam secures financial resources and support for programs that benefit Minneapolis and Saint Paul youth by identifying prospective institutional funders, writing grants and copy, and helping manage Achieve Twin Cities’ existing institutional relationships. Sam is passionate about public education and ensuring that all young people in our community have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed at school and in life.

In his free time, Sam writes short stories and plays, reads everything from speculative fiction to philosophy and religion, occasionally narrates podcasts, and plays Go.