SAM McCLENDON

Director of Program Operations
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Sam was born in Shawnee, OK, but raised mostly in the Kansas City, MO area, while also spending time in California and Texas when moving as an Air Force family. After high school, Sam came back to Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2002 with a bachelor’s in psychology and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2017. He is certified to administer and facilitate on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), is passionate about the power of self-awareness, and is committed to fostering personal and professional growth within himself, amongst his colleagues and throughout the nonprofit sector.

Sam’s career spans areas such as child protective services, grant and program monitoring, group home supervision and juvenile justice, as well as employee learning and development, and serving in multiple leadership roles. This ability to be flexible and adapt to different roles is what equips Sam to navigate the complex nature of his new role.

Sam currently resides in North OKC with his wife Kethzia, and their two freeloaders (dogs) Lucy and Jet. Outside of work, Samuel is an avid sports fan (Go Irish! Go Chiefs!), who enjoys traveling, shopping, Legos, movies, gaming, yard work, and good times with family, friends, and pets. A self-proclaimed foodie, he never says no to a great meal, especially dessert! He lives by the philosophy: "Only one way to find out...", fearlessly embracing new experiences with curiosity and resilience.