Sam Finn

Sam Finn is director of newcomer policy and practice at Californians Together. He is also a director of the California Newcomer Network (CANN), where he is a researcher and organizer. Finn has worked as an elementary school teacher, academic researcher, and strategic consultant to state agencies. Finn is dedicated to supporting the field of newcomer (immigrant student) education through research, resource creation, professional development, and national organizing. He is a native of Oakland, California, where he lives and is closely connected with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) as a former senior policy consultant and and policy fellow with OUSD. He was also a senior program manager with Jobs for the Future (JFF). Finn received his MA in public policy analysis from the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, and his MA in elementary education and teaching from Lesley University.

updated 2025