Sam Hill Joins as Leader of People & Culture

The John R. Oishei Foundation Names Sam Hill as Leader of People & Culture

New role strengthens Foundation's commitment to internal equity and a thriving organizational culture.

The John R. Oishei Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Hill as its new Leader of People & Culture, a pivotal role designed to align the Foundation's internal operations with its mission to advance racial equity across the Buffalo-Niagara region.

This appointment is part of the Foundation’s broader transformation, which began last year with the adoption of a new strategic direction centered on building financial prosperity and addressing systemic racial inequities. Now in the second year of that transition, the Foundation is expanding its team and evolving its structure to ensure its internal culture reflects the same values it promotes in the community.

In this newly created role, Hill will guide efforts to center racial equity in the Foundation’s internal practices—including hiring, professional development, and organizational wellbeing—while fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and accountability. He will also play a key role in aligning the Foundation’s internal operations and partnerships with its mission. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Sam Hill to our leadership team," said Christina Orsi, President of the Oishei Foundation. "Sam brings a powerful combination of executive experience, cultural insight, and deep roots in Buffalo. His leadership will help us continue building a workplace where our team thrives, and where equity is embedded not just in our mission, but in how we live that mission every day."

A seasoned leader with three decades of experience in operations, talent development, and organizational culture, Hill has held executive roles across sectors and served as Learning & Performance Sr. Consultant. Most recently, he served as Chief Strategy Officer at Heritage Ministries, where he led strategic planning, operations, and organizational change initiatives. He also served as National Chair of the African American Leadership Forum at Sodexo, where he helped shape the response and approach during the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Hill is a Buffalo native with deep ties to the city’s East Side and is a proud member of the fifth cohort of the Karen Lee Spaulding Oishei Fellowship for Leaders of Color.

"I know this community not from research and data but from lived experience," Sam Hill shared. "To support the community where I grew up and contribute to a mission I believe in—and to do so in a role that centers people, culture, and equity—is an incredible opportunity."

"The best work happens when we lead with trust and strong relationships," Hill continued. "My goal is to create a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to lead with excellence."

"Sam's appointment reflects not only a strategic step forward for the Foundation but a deeply personal investment in Buffalo," said Glenn Jackson, Board Chair of the Oishei Foundation. "As a Fellow, a native son of Buffalo's East Side, and a proven leader in people-centered transformation, Sam brings a rare combination of heart, vision, and experience to this work. We are proud to have him on our team."

Hill’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the Foundation’s transition and reflects its commitment to investing in internal alignment as a foundation for community impact.

For more about Sam Hill and the Oishei Foundation’s work, visit https://oishei.org.