Since 1974, Sam has focused on youth development and in building the capacity of leaders and organizations in education. He is an expert in theories of change and youth development initiatives, along with the foundation work needed to support these efforts. Sam helped shape the growing afterschool movement in California. He chaired and served on several key state committees and joined with others to build a state-wide system of support for new programs, align state after school policies with youth development principles, and successfully support the launch of the state’s After School Safety and Education for Teens, a large state-wide high school initiative.

Sam began his career in 1974 as an afterschool worker, an experience that led to 10 years of classroom teaching and later work as a child and family counselor and school social worker. Between 1989 and 2001, Sam developed and managed school-based youth programs at the regional and national levels. He has also worked as Managing Director with the Community Network for Youth Development, to help launch "The San Francisco Beacon Initiative," a large public and private partnership dedicated to transforming public schools into vibrant community centers serving youth in the afterschool hours.

Sam has served as editor and contributing author of several important practice guides and journal articles on afterschool programming. He holds a Masters Degree in Social Welfare and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.