Sam Schaeffer

Center for employment opportunities, ceo

Sam joined CEO in 2009 to spearhead the nationwide replication of CEO’s evidence-based program model, and was appointed to his role as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director in January 2014. Under his leadership, CEO has expanded to serve more than 8,000 formerly incarcerated individuals annually in 31 cities across the U.S. During COVID, he conceived and helped execute the largest ever cash assistance program for people returning from prison. Prior to joining CEO, Sam served as Director of Economic Development for U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York. In that position, he oversaw all job creation and retention efforts, transportation and infrastructure policy, and social welfare policy. Sam has testified before Congress on multiple occasions and speaks and writes regularly on issues including criminal justice, workforce development, and nonprofit effectiveness.