Sam Battan

Sam Battan comes to America's Promise Alliance after serving for nearly a decade as the founder and Executive Director of the Colorado Youth Congress, where he built a statewide network of young leaders driving lasting change in their schools and communities. A recognized leader in network-based change, Sam was awarded the 2023 Livingston Fellowship, the 2021 Colorado Succeeds Prize, and was a national finalist for the 2019 Teach for America Social Innovation Award.

Sam began his career in New Orleans teaching and leading at an alternative high school for overage students, where he was recognized as the district's Teacher of the Year. Sam is proud to serve as a current leader with Center for Health Progress and formerly as the education chair for the Welcome Table New Orleans, the nation’s first city-sanctioned initiative for racial reconciliation. His leadership has been featured by NBC, the Denver Post, Colorado Sun, NOLA.com, and The Advocate. For fun, Sam enjoys reading, going to live shows at Red Rocks, and putting hot sauce on pretty much every meal.