After graduating from the University of Illinois, where he was a two-time captain of the football team, Sam Ellsworth landed in the mortgage industry thanks to a nudge from a friend. What began as an experiment soon became a calling, as Ellsworth found purpose in a business where effort, energy and attitude directly influenced results. He embraced the entrepreneurial nature of lending and quickly realized the corporate world wasn’t for him — preferring instead to build a career where he could lead, inspire and innovate on his own terms.

Now a seasoned mortgage professional with 30 years of experience, Ellsworth is among the senior leadership at New American Funding, where he’s spent the past 14 years shaping company culture and scaling talent. Known for his forward-thinking and people-first leadership style, he has helped recruit and develop top-producing teams. His approach is collaborative and non-corporate, strategic yet relaxed, giving his teams the freedom to perform at a high level with autonomy.

Clients and colleagues alike describe Ellsworth as trustworthy, genuine and high-energy, with a gift for motivation and a deep commitment to integrity. He is also known as a leader who is easy to connect with, approachable, grounded and committed to helping others succeed — both professionally and personally. His proudest professional achievement in recent years has been building one of the most effective talent acquisition teams in the industry while helping drive national expansion at his firm.

Outside of work, Ellsworth is focused on health, family and personal growth. A dedicated husband and father, he recently reached peak physical condition and is active in boxing, hot yoga, CrossFit and cycling. He and his wife enjoy traveling, home remodeling and live music, often exploring new restaurants together. He also continues to invest in passion projects that fuel personal evolution.