More About Cathy...
A goal of Cathy’s is to consistently, and with the highest degree of compliance quality, grow this United Way to heights it’s never reached before, including the achievement of a new UWW Metro ranking and an excess of $4M in revenue, along with, of course, pristine, accurate, and compliant audits and 990 documentation.
More About Nishika...
Nishika is a native of Central Florida and resides here with her two children. She finds joy in helping individual and families within her community who are born with societal disadvantages and fighting an up-hill battle. She enjoys encouraging youth to strive towards goals and making them aware of their potential to achieve all dreams.
More About Ken...
Ken grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He moved to Chicago in the early 90’s to become more involved in professional, non-equity theatre.
Ken was a founding member of the Collaboraction Theatre Company and managing director of the Pyewacket Theatre Company. He was fortunate to work with Francis Ford Coppola’s team, at American Zoetrope, to acquire the rights to produce the world premiere of Mr. Coppola’s “The Conversation,” which Ken also directed. Ken was nominated for the best director Joseph Jefferson Award for Jeff Daniels’ “Boomtown.”
At the MacArthur Foundation, Ken worked in human rights and girls’ secondary education as well as volunteering as the Chicago-based coordinator of the Uganda Fund, a fund to help girls in northern Uganda thrive.
Unusual facts: There is a photo of Ken standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate, on top of the Berlin Wall. In 2012, Ken attended a human rights discussion, in a 300-person auditorium, where, in attendance, were Nobel Laureate guests Mikhail Gorbachev, Lech Wałęsa and the Dali Lama. Very cool!
Having earned a degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations, working in real estate, marketing, management consulting, philanthropy and non-equity theatre, Ken, our office manager, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and willingness to learn to our United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties.
More About Victoria...
More About Tracey...
Tracey spent 24 years with the US Army rising to the rank of Lt. Col with successive assignments in various military assignments. He then was employed for the next 24 years in several positions in post-secondary education ranging from Campus Director, Vice President International operations, Vice President Brazilian operations, Regional Financial Director and Faculty member. Has also established and developed campuses in Orlando, Brazil, and India. He and his family currently reside in Howey in the Hills.
More About Danielle...
More About Rebecca...
More About Felicia...
Felicia serves our United Way as an AmeriCorps Vista. Her area of focus is our marketing efforts and social media and the term of her Vista role is one year. Prior to joining our United Way team, Felicia has considered and is still looking into attending flight school.
A native Lake County resident, Felicia grew up in Eustis and has lived in the area her whole life, with a short stint in the state of Tennessee. In her spare fun times, she love to create art, is learning how to create music, and even dabbles a bit in wood working.
More About Veronica...
A graduate of Eustis high school, Veronica also has an AA from Lake Sumter State College. Her non-profit background includes multiple local agencies and her experience in grant writing is growing exponentially. When not writing grants or pursuing additional funding opportunities for our United Way, she enjoys family time and spending the precious moments with her three children and hubby on their local farm.
More About Keia...
She has worked with youth as a mentor, clients in need with funding options, and even helped clients assess the risks and outcomes of many of their decisions, using skills learned from when she was a data analyst. Keia tends to roam both counties in our service area, so you may spot her in Sumterville, Mount Dora, or even the South Lake area, as well as her home base of right here in Leesburg.
More About Thawanna...
I am a proud mom of two amazing sons and a beautiful granddaughter. I firmly believe that all children can learn. We must create environments they feel safe and accepted in. There is no greater feeling than watching the change in little learners. I believe that when teachers are supported with resources and knowledge they can make a difference. Pouring into our little learners will in turn produce productive well rounded confident citizens. I hold a Child Development Associates, Florida Daycare Directors Credentials and a Bachelors of Religious Arts in Biblical Studies. Also a member of Florida Association of Childcare Management.
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There is Nothing as Powerful as a Changed Mind”Thawanna Newton
More About Emery...
Emery serves our United Way as an AmeriCorps Vista. His area of focus is our volunteer engagement program and the term of his Vista role is one year. Prior to joining our United Way team, Emery attended Stetson University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
A native Lake County resident, Emery grew up in Mount Dora and some of his favorite fun time activities include making music and working with his new keyboard to come up with the latest in EDM. Yep, we had to ask what that stood for, too.
We value diversity…
At United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. Our commitment to these values is unwavering – across all of our work in both of our two counties we have the pleasure of serving. They are central to our mission and vision, as well as our community impact. We know that having varied perspectives, backgrounds, and points of view, are able to help generate better ideas to solve the complex problems of a changing—and increasingly diverse—world.