Samuel L. Rudd
President & CEO
With over 30 years of experience, Samuel L. Rudd has a wealth of expertise in operations, financial management, and non-profit management across diverse industries. His professional journey consists of leadership roles in both the non-profit and financial sectors.
Throughout his career, Sam has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by successfully guiding teams to exceed their goals. His coaching acumen, creation of incentive programs, and implementation of cutting-edge technologies have effectively eliminated roadblocks hindering success, propelling his team members to flourish. Sam has extensive experience in mentoring, training, and building high-performance teams. His unwavering dedication to building a community in the workplace shines through in his interactions, exemplifying his genuine passion for people.
Sam’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 moved to Oregon, taking on a pivotal role in the small business lending center, overseeing a team of portfolio managers and underwriters. In 2007, Sam joined GEMSA Loan Servicing in Texas, 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. Ten years later, in 2020, Sam returned to Las Vegas to assume the position of Vice President of Operations and Managing Broker at Sun Commercial Real Estate, Inc.
In 2023, Sam joined United Way of Southern Nevada as COO/CFO, where he combined his extensive operational and financial expertise with his deep passion for community service. At United Way, Sam immediately spearheaded initiatives that strengthened organizational efficiency, implemented data-driven performance measures, and enhanced collaboration among staff and stakeholders. His financial stewardship allowed UWSN to maximize impact and strategically invest in programs that directly benefited underserved communities in Southern Nevada.
Sam’s leadership was instrumental in increasing visibility and public engagement with United Way. He played a key role in fostering partnerships with local businesses and civic leaders, ensuring that UWSN’s mission to address education, workforce development, and crisis support was amplified across the region. His guidance was essential in organizing high-impact initiatives, including large-scale community drives and fundraising events that brought significant resources back into Southern Nevada.
In 2024, Sam was named President & CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada. Under his leadership, the organization continues to thrive, with Sam at the forefront of driving community engagement and innovative solutions to address Southern Nevada’s most pressing needs. His passion for service, community, and building a strong, thriving United Way remains at the heart of his work, positioning UWSN as a leader in the nonprofit sector and an essential partner in shaping the future of Southern Nevada.
