Leading the Way: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Shares Success Stories

Allentown, PA – United Way team members from across the nation gathered in Allentown to share best-in-class standards around strategic goals and operational excellence. United Way Worldwide has recognized United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley as a Center of Excellence for best practices in Workplace Campaigns.

“There are 1,100 United Way organizations across the country. We know we are stronger together,” said UWGLV President David Lewis as he welcomed guests to the Greater Lehigh Valley.

The two-day program began Wednesday with remarks from Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent and UWGLV Board of Directors Vice Chair, Dr. Joseph Roy. “I describe United Way as the community’s thought leader,” said Dr. Roy. “What makes us successful is the combination of true collective impact, clear vision and being a thought leader.”

With more than 18,000 generous donors and 400 companies, UWGLV raises money and invests in programs to transform the lives of more than 60,000 people in the Lehigh Valley. Their most recent campaign raised more than $12.1 million.

“This United Way does an incredible job at thanking people,” commented Gerry Nau, retired CEO of Lafayette Ambassador Bank and longtime UWGLV volunteer. “They help donors understand the connection between their dollars and how their dollars are used throughout the community.”

Guests travelled from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Wisconsin to participate.

”United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has been one of our models for Community Schools. We’re really interested in how they’ve connected impact to resource development,” said Stacia Erdos, Vice President of Strategic Planning, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

Session topics included operating workplace campaigns, engaging volunteers and developing a major-giving pipeline.

“We’re definitely going to take the idea of a Campaign Cabinet to institute in our organization,” reflected Tina Chance, Director of Workplace Campaigns of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

Presenters included UWGLV President David Lewis, Executive Vice President Marci Ronald-Lesko, Vice President of Resource Development Chip Hurd, Vice President of Finance and Administration Debbie Klocek, Vice President of Impact Marc Rittle, Senior Director of Workplace Campaign Cori Rolon, Manager of Data Systems and Electronic Giving June Tsang, Manager of Stewardship Adrienne Wright and Manager of Donor Engagement Marcy McKinney.

 “It’s been valuable to hear about the culture and how things are done here. There’s such value in collaboration and teamwork,” ​said Chris Cusano, Partnership Manager, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut