Director of Programs and Team Lead

Rudy Sablon is a visionary leader and strategist with over 20 years of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, and community empowerment. Since the inception of The Motivational Edge in 2008, he has been instrumental in its growth and success, now serving as Director of Programs and Team Lead. His leadership has helped shape the organization into one of Florida’s most impactful nonprofits, providing transformative arts, education, and mentorship programs to thousands of vulnerable youth.

Beyond his work at The Motivational Edge, Rudy serves on the Board of Directors for KP Cares Foundation and BV Miami, both dedicated to empowering underserved youth and families. He is also one of the longest-tenured grant panelists for the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, contributing his expertise to arts and community development initiatives since 2017. His public service contributions include being appointed in 2017 to the City of Miami’s Sports and Exhibition Authority Board, where he worked alongside civic leaders to enhance community engagement and development initiatives.

In 2020, his passion for social justice led him to secure specialized credentials from Kristi House in supporting sexually exploited children, trauma survivors, and human trafficking victims—reinforcing his capacity to address some of society’s most pressing humanitarian issues.

Rudy’s leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Future Makers Award from City to City Miami (2023), the Distinguished Community Service Award from Hillsborough County Children Services (2016), and recognition from Chapman Partnership for the Homeless. His expertise has been recognized by Columbia University, where he was invited to serve as an adjunct site supervisor at their School of Social Work from 2016 to 2017. In this role, he mentored emerging student leaders in social innovation and community care, providing guidance on impactful strategies to support vulnerable populations.

In addition to his nonprofit work, Rudy has an extensive background in business and educational consulting. As CEO of Race 2 the Top, he led nationwide education initiatives, working with school districts in distress to implement strategic program evaluations and improvements. Under his leadership, the company expanded into eight states and 25 cities, impacting over 10,000 under-resourced students. His dedication to educational equity and community development was recognized in 2016 when he received a Community Leadership Recognition Award in Weld County, CO, honoring his impact on youth education in underserved communities. Previously, he served as CEO of Legends Business Group, where he managed a multi-million-dollar portfolio of high-growth ventures, including Legends Power, an alternative energy research and development subsidiary.

A noted author and social impact innovator, Rudy holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Florida International University and an Executive Degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of Notre Dame. Through his commitment to strategic growth, mentorship, and community transformation, he continues to drive meaningful change for at-risk youth and families across South Florida and beyond.