Samuel Stephen
Learning Experience Designer · Adult Education Program Manager · Nonprofit Founder with 10+ years designing learning experiences for multicultural adult learners across Germany, Nigeria, and the U.S.
Building systems that
make a difference.
Learning and program development professional with 10+ years designing learning experiences, adapting curriculum for multicultural adult learners, leading nonprofit initiatives, and managing cross-functional projects across Germany, Nigeria, and the United States. Founder of Samara Family Care Foundation. Experienced using AI tools to develop learning content. Lived in Germany, completed formal German language studies for integration, and currently on my own career journey with Upwardly Global.
I led IT operations for 60+ staff at YWAM Germany, deployed 150+ workstations, and later founded orphanage facilities in Nigeria—managing budgets, grants, and full organizational infrastructure. Today, I craft interactive web experiences and robust data pipelines for charities and enterprises alike.
I also serve as a Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace administrator for multiple charities across the U.S., having designed and deployed their entire cloud infrastructure including Entra ID sync, security baselines, and end-user training from the ground up.
Core Competencies
Education: A.S. Computer Science (UoPeople) · A.A. Communication (UoNations)
One experience,
every screen.
Real customer projects — click a site below to load it into all three devices.
Projects that speak
for themselves.
Custom web applications built for real customer needs — from interactive maps to knowledge quizzes and biblical timelines.
Interactive US Museum Map
Custom D3.js map with state-based tooltips, guide profiles, and museum tour information — built per client request.
D3.js TopoJSON RESTCreation Knowledge Quiz
20-question interactive quiz with detailed feedback, scripture references, and reading suggestions — built per client request.
JavaScript CSS UXBiblical Timeline Explorer
Filterable timeline from Creation to the Resurrection with detailed apologetics, scientific notes, and museum critique — built per client request.
HTML CSS JSPioneering change,
building futures.
I have pioneered two charities and am actively involved in many others across the US, Germany, and Nigeria.
Founder – Two Orphanage Facilities
Founded and operationalized two orphanage facilities in Nigeria, building full organizational infrastructure from the ground up. Directed international fundraising, grant writing, and budget forecasting. Implemented QA frameworks, SOPs, and staff hierarchical structures.
- Full organizational infrastructure design
- International fundraising & grant writing
- Budget forecasting & financial oversight
- Staff training & hierarchical structuring
Digital Solutions for Charities
Designed and deployed complete Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace environments for U.S. charities, including Entra ID sync, security baselines, and end-user training. Built custom bookkeeping app for charities in Nigeria to request support from US partners.
- Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace deployment
- Entra ID sync & security baselines
- Custom bookkeeping app for Nigerian charities
- US-Nigeria support request system
Global Charitable Involvement
Actively involved in multiple charitable organizations across the US, Germany, and Nigeria. Provide ongoing digital infrastructure support, administrative guidance, and strategic consulting for mission-driven organizations worldwide.
- US: Cloud infrastructure & Microsoft 365 for multiple charities
- Germany: IT leadership & digital communication for YWAM
- Nigeria: Orphanage operations & custom digital tools
Global experience,
local impact.
From curriculum development to visa facilitation — I’ve guided international students through every step of their journey.
Co-founder & Operational Director
Samara Family Care Foundation- Established full nonprofit operations from the ground up, including securing facilities, recruiting/retaining staff, managing budgets, and raising funds through strategic church and community engagement.
- Coordinated the adoption of eight orphaned children and organized an in-house homeschool program, reducing the yearly operational budget by 30% through strategic educational partnerships.
- Developed a custom monthly budget application using JavaScript to ensure financial transparency, track expenses, and maintain positive stakeholder relationships.
- Recruited, interviewed, and trained all foundation staff, fostering a culture of high-quality care and professional accountability.
- Maintained consistent communication with sponsors through monthly newsletters, strengthening donor retention and trust.
Founder, HRMS Software
Approli- Developed a comprehensive Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for small-to-medium businesses, specifically designed to streamline attendance tracking and reduce administrative processing time.
- Led agile development lifecycle, delegating coding responsibilities, conducting code inspections, and implementing cloud-based architecture using modern frameworks.
- Managed stakeholder expectations and planned the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) roadmap using Trello, coordinating effectively with a distributed team of developers.
IT Leader & Digital Communication Director
YWAM Hurlach Germany- Led the School of Digital Communication, designing and facilitating immersive learning experiences for multicultural adult learners representing countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Redesigned the University of the Nations Cross-Cultural curriculum and developed a comprehensive WordPress blogging course (beginner to advanced), equipping adult learners with practical digital publishing and communication skills.
- Conducted learner needs assessments, surveys, and stakeholder interviews with campus leadership and partner schools to align academic offerings with strategic priorities, directly driving curriculum revisions and program updates.
- Co-led a campus-wide project-based learning initiative where students researched, scripted, and produced promotional videos, strengthening their collaborative storytelling and technical production skills.
- Planned and coordinated recurring outreach programs serving 150–180 refugees from the Middle East and Africa per cycle, managing all end-to-end logistics including transportation, meals, volunteer scheduling, and safety protocols.
- Built and sustained collaborative partnerships with refugee camp leaders, social workers, churches, and nonprofit organizations to deliver effective community programs and support refugee integration through educational and hospitality initiatives.
- Supported 60+ staff and students, reducing downtime by 35% through proactive maintenance, and deployed 150+ Windows workstations cutting deployment time by 50% via standardized imaging.
- Developed and maintained 5+ high-security WordPress sites for global outreach and delivered technical seminars on Linux, WordPress, and digital literacy.
Founder & Cloud Infrastructure Consultant
Orphanage Facilities & US Charities- Founded and operationalized two orphanage facilities, building full organizational infrastructure.
- Directed international fundraising, grant writing, and budget forecasting.
- Implemented QA frameworks, SOPs, and staff hierarchical structures.
- Designed and deployed complete Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace environments for U.S. charities, including Entra ID sync, security baselines, and end-user training.
Design & creative
showcase.
Explore my visual design work — from branding to illustration.
Africa Outdoor
Bold outdoor campaign design celebrating African landscapes and culture.
CampaignAnimal Illustration
Vibrant vector illustration series featuring stylized wildlife and nature.
IllustrationBicycle Concept
Modern bicycle brand identity with a focus on sustainability and urban mobility.
BrandingFruit Juice Packaging
Fresh and playful packaging concept for a premium organic juice brand.
PackagingWeep Not Woman
Emotional portrait illustration exploring themes of resilience and hope.
IllustrationKind words from
industry leaders.
Let’s build something
extraordinary.
I am available for freelance, full-time, or volunteer collaborations.
Quick reply
Available for calls and meetings within US time zones.