Sam Skillern is the executive director of the Salem Leadership Foundation, a faith-based community-impact organization that was founded in 1996. SLF is known for its work building bridges between the faith community and the community at large, especially schools, government, business, the human services and law enforcement. SLF is also active working across the denominations and between different religions, helping people-of-faith practice the Sacred Art of Servanthood in service to others.
SLF is a strong partner in the Churches as Neighborhood (CaN) Centers Collaborative, Community Partnership Teams (CPTs), Fostering Hope/Safe Families, Salem Warming Network, Church@the Park, Isaac’s Room/IKE Box, Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network, and the GRASSP Soccer Network, among many other initiatives.
Sam is a Salem son who graduated from South High (1977) and Oregon State (1982) before heading to Seattle for a 14-year career in consulting and community-building ministry. Sam and his family live in a historic 1916 Craftsman home and worship (Salem Alliance Church) in the Grant neighborhood of north-central Salem, which is also the location of SLF’s offices.
Sam serves on the Marion County Children & Families Commission and co-chairs both the Grant Neighborhood Association and the North Neighborhoods-N2 Community Progress Team (CPT). In March 2005, Sam was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Salem Chamber of Commerce and City officials.
