LAS VEGAS (July 28, 2023) – United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN), a local non-profit celebrating 65 years of service to the Southern Nevada community, is proud to welcome Samuel L. Rudd as the Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer and Karen Alonso as the Vice President of Marketing to its executive team. Rudd and Alonso are dedicated to help further UWSN’s mission of ensuring every individual in Southern Nevada has the opportunity and tools to succeed.
“We are thrilled to welcome Samuel and Karen to the executive team,” said UWSN President and CEO, Julian High. “As we look forward to another 65 years of United Way in Southern Nevada, I am delighted to be working alongside these two individuals who bring such drive, passion and expertise to our organization. I am confident their strategic leadership will elevate UWSN, further our mission, and help create a meaningful impact in our community.”
About Samuel L. Rudd
With over 29 years of experience, Samuel L. Rudd has a wealth of expertise in operations and financial management across diverse industries. Throughout his career, Sam has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by successfully guiding multiple teams to exceed their goals. His coaching acumen, creation of incentive programs, and implementation of cutting-edge technologies have propelled his team members to success.
Samuel’s professional journey began in 1994 at U.S. Bank in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he established a strong foundation in banking within the branch system. He later ventured to Oregon, taking on a pivotal role in the small business lending center, overseeing a team of portfolio managers and underwriters. In 2007, Sam seized an opportunity in Texas, joining GEMSA Loan Servicing, a renowned joint venture between GE Capital and CBRE. There, he excelled in managing a Commercial REIT portfolio, further honing his expertise in commercial real estate.
In 2010, Sam embarked on a different path as he embraced the role of Senior Pastor and Administrator for Katy Foursquare, showcasing his versatility and commitment to making a positive impact within the community. Returning to Las Vegas in 2020, Sam assumed the esteemed position of Vice President of Operations and Managing Broker at Sun Commercial Real Estate, Inc.
Rudd’s expertise in finance, management, and the nonprofit sector makes him a perfect fit for the COO/CFO position at UWSN.
About Karen Alonso
As the newly appointed Vice President of Marketing, Karen Alonso brings over 15 years of invaluable marketing expertise to UWSN. Alonso is an accomplished marketing professional with a strong passion for mission-driven work. She has extensive experience in developing and implementing innovative strategies that drive brand growth and generate meaningful impact.
In her current role, Alonso leads a team of dedicated marketing professionals and is committed to fostering an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, innovation and excellence. Her strategic vision and leadership abilities enable UWSN to effectively communicate its mission, engage stakeholders, and inspire action.
Alonso’s career began in 2009 as the Marketing Director at Advantage Plus Consulting in New Jersey. During her tenure, eventually leading to Associate Vice President of Marketing, Karen successfully developed and executed a strategic re-branding initiative when the firm merged to become Catapult Fundraising, Inc. in 2016. During her 14-year career with the company, Alonso designed multi-channel campaigns which resulted in millions of dollars raised for prestigious non-profit organizations including International Rescue Committee, United States Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation, Special Olympics International, West Point Association of Graduates, Nevada SPCA, Atomic Museum, UC Davis Health, and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute to name a few. Alonso’s extensive experience in both the marketing and fundraising fields makes her an excellent addition to UWSN’s executive team. Alonso is currently serving as the President of the American Marketing Association, Las Vegas Chapter.