OACAA is pleased to welcome Sam Craighead as our new Training Manager, a new position created to strengthen one of the Association’s core commitments to our members: providing high-quality training, professional development, and technical assistance to Ohio’s Community Action Network.
As agencies continue to navigate new challenges, evolving program requirements, and increasing demands on staff, we identified the need to further build upon our strong foundation of meaningful learning opportunities throughout the year. Creating this position reflects our commitment to helping agencies build organizational capacity while investing in the professionals who make Community Action possible.
Finding the right person for this role was a priority. Following an extensive and highly competitive search, Sam emerged as the candidate who best combined expertise in adult learning, instructional design, and organizational development with a collaborative approach and genuine enthusiasm for mission-driven work.
Before joining OACAA, Sam spent 15 years at The Ohio State University leading professional learning initiatives and developing training programs that served thousands of learners. Throughout the interview process, he impressed our search committee not only with his experience, but with his desire to listen first, build relationships, and create training opportunities that respond to the needs identified by agencies themselves.
That philosophy is reflected in Sam’s own words: “I’m excited to join the OACAA team and become part of Ohio’s Community Action Network. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about designing and contributing to learning programs that help people build skills, solve challenges, and grow in their roles. I look forward to partnering with agencies across the state to create meaningful professional development opportunities that support staff, strengthen organizations, and advance the important work Community Action does every day.”
In the coming months, Sam will be getting to know our members while learning more about the opportunities and challenges facing Community Action professionals across Ohio. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to introduce yourself, share your ideas, and help us continue building a training program that reflects the strength, expertise, and priorities of Ohio’s Community Action Network.