Sam Stephens was recently named executive director of the Global Soap Project, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that collects and recycles discarded soap from hotels to help people in developing nations.

Stephens, 32, is the founder and a member of the board of  the International Center for Sustainable Fundraising. Previously, he was an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech and later  vice president of  external relations for Volunteers of America Utah.

To date, more than 100 tons of soap has been collected and distributed to nations such as Uganda, Kenya, Haiti and Ecuador.

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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez