What is your role at UWSM? I have the great privilege of leading United Way of Southern Maine's phenomenal staff team to work in and with our community to achieve long-lasting positive change.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My favorite moments are when UWSM connects with new partners. I believe with my whole heart that people and organizations want to be part of positive change. Strengthening the social fabric of our community by helping to find a place for each organization and individual to connect and contribute truly inspires me to come to work each day.
How do you take your coffee? I take my coffee and my tea with milk, no sugar.
What’s your favorite book? Long-time favorite: "All the King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren. Recent favorite: "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
What’s on your bucket list? Hike the Milford Track again, this time with our children.
Dan Coyne
Senior Vice President, Community Impact and Finance
Dan Coyne, Senior Vice President, Community Impact and Finance
What is your role at UWSM? Dan oversees community impact efforts tied to United Way’s goals around education, financial stability, and health – the building blocks of a good life. He aligns funding, volunteerism, public policy, advocacy, and other strategies to ensure the impact is made at the population level throughout the community. A principal architect of Thrive2027, he provides strategic leadership to the Thrive2027 Council, a group that includes executives, administrators, and public officials from throughout the community who provides overall guidance and oversight of efforts to ensure the success of three bold community goals.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? There are so many, but being part of the community-wide process resulted in Thrive2027. In particular, seeing and hearing 2,200 people in Southern Maine articulate a compelling vision for a stronger community and then many working to make positive change inspires me every day.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Like a milkshake: with cream and a natural sweetener
What’s your favorite book? "Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson III"
What’s on your bucket list? Traveling to all seven continents and running the Antarctica marathon
Kristin Chase Duffy
Senior Vice President, Technology and Communications
Kristin Chase Duffy, Senior Vice President, Technology and Communications
What is your role at UWSM? Kristin joined United Way in 2013. Kristin received a BA in Communications and a MBA with a Concentration in Marketing from Bentley University. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and engagement with nonprofit and for-profit organizations. As a Mainer, who returned after a few years away because Maine is awesome, she loves to spend time with her husband and two kids and play in her gardens.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I have the privilege of working with staff and volunteers every day who are incredibly dedicated to and are making a difference in our community. It fuels me with a powerful sense of possibility.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Black
What’s your favorite book? "Game of Thrones" series
What’s on your bucket list? Watch the Tour de France in person with my husband.
Matt Wolcott
Senior Vice President, Resource Development and Governance
Matt Wolcott, Senior Vice President, Resource Development and Governance
What is your role at UWSM?
As Senior Vice President of Resource Development and Governance, Matt oversees the fundraising and revenue strategies as well as board recruitment and development efforts at United Way of Southern Maine.
Matt has been in the non-profit sector specializing in fundraising and development for over a decade. The common thread across his non-profit career centers on education. He has led annual and capital campaigns for a wide variety of organizations including an international school in Guatemala, an independent school in New Hampshire, and a national youth conservation organization based in Washington D.C.. Earlier in his career, Matt was involved in marketing communications for a global Fortune 1000 tech company near Boston.
Matt is active as a volunteer with Rotary, Boy Scouts of America, local youth sports, and serves as a lay leader with his church. He is a graduate of Plymouth State University. Matt resides in New Hampshire with his wife, Leah, and their four children.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Witnessing the genuine care and sense of responsibility from influential community leaders is both inspiring and gives me great hope for the next generation of leaders behind them.
How do you take your coffee? Little bit of soy, no sweetener.
What’s your favorite book? "All the Light We Cannot See", "The Bible", "Into Thin Air"
What’s on your bucket list? Newport-Bermuda Race (crew for hire!)
Hannah Brier, Community Impact Manager, Operations
What is your role at UWSM?
I am the Community Impact Manager, Operations and help support the CI team with a variety of different things. I also support many of United Way and Thrive2027’s Cabinets, Committees and Council.
What’s your favorite work moment so far?
At many Thrive2027 Council meetings I have seen collaboration and action happening in real time to help community members and it is truly incredible! All my favorite moments have been working with passionate coworkers, volunteers, partners and community members to make measurable change and work towards an equitable and thriving community.
How do you take your coffee?
I’m more of a mint tea or chai latte person.
What’s your favorite book?
Always hard to choose. I recently read White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo again and highly recommend it. I also recently read the Harry Potter books for the first time and loved them.
What’s on your bucket list?
I have a pretty long bucket list! Lots of it is travel but some are things like learning to juggle fire and playing the melodica.
What is your role at UWSM? Senior Director, Operations.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? It’s hard to decide, especially when we have both sides of the equation here – amazing coworkers and really impactful work. But, if I have to choose… I think I’d choose one of our Women United events when we had the opportunity to both hear about the work that is happening (and its successes) and got the chance to meet some of the moms who have been helped along the way.
How do you take your coffee or tea? I take my coffee (preferably flavored… hazelnut crème is my favorite for the moment) with a little sugar and oat milk.
What’s your favorite book? Such a hard question! I’ll take a turn here and say my favorite book(s) that I’m reading with my son right now are the Spirit Animal series. I love that it’s something we’re reading together, he gets really into them, and we can have a good conversation about the lessons you can learn from the characters.
What’s on your bucket list? Travel! I love traveling, experiencing new cultures – the architecture, food, customs, language … all of it! I have so many places on my list still to visit. But, I’d say bringing my kids with me is the next big thing – wherever it may be. I want them to be able to experience new and different places and people as well.
What is your role at UWSM? Senior Director, Financial Stability
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I am inspired every day by the work happening in our community. Recently I had the opportunity to see a group of high school students, from A Company of Girls, present a short play that they wrote, produced, and performed that represented a day in the life of a typical high school girl. Poignant, heart-wrenching and a wonderful reminder about the impact of our investments.
How do you take your coffee or tea? With milk and sugar.
What’s your favorite book? Too many to choose!
What’s on your bucket list? Travelling: to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and returning to England and Italy.
Haley Castle-Miller
Business Liaison, Greater Portland Workforce Initiative
Ninette Irabaruta, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy
What is your role at UWSM? I am currently the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
What’s your favorite work moment so far? This is a hard one to answer for me because there have been many favorite work moments. For now, let me say that my two favorite work moments so far are – (1) developing relationships with key public policy stakeholders, and (2) listening to the issues community members bring to the table.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Black
What’s your favorite book? The unique powerful essay by the Martinique Poet/Politician Aime Cesaire - “Discourse on Colonialism.” It is claimed to be the pioneering work in the study of post colonialism.
What’s on your bucket list? Earning a Ph.D. and Visiting Indigenous Communities across all continents!
Kerrie Keller
Senior Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability
Kerrie Keller, Senior Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability
What is your role at UWSM? As the Senior Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability, I support United Way’s work related to Thrive2027’s Goal 2. I am a proud AmeriCorps VISTA alum and graduate of the University of Vermont.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? From community conversations and workplace rallies to reader trainings and food drives, I love how UWSM brings together people from different parts of our community to ensure that Southern Maine is a great place for everyone.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Herbal tea for me.
What’s your favorite book? I don’t like picking favorites, but if I had to, it might be a three-way tie between "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf, "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster, and "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer.
What’s on your bucket list? I have always wanted to take a ride in a hot air balloon!
What’s your favorite work moment so far? We do a lot of work with our education partners. One of my favorite things is to start the day in an elementary school classroom. There is so much energy. Teachers in that age group are amazing. I love seeing the students when something clicks and they are able to identify a new letter or read the sentence that has been a struggle for them. Their minds are always soaking in information and they're full of questions.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Coffee. Strong. Black (no sugar).
What’s your favorite book? There's no way I can answer this with just one title.
What’s on your bucket list? This is such a long list…travel mostly, Galapagos, Alaska, and Delaware are at the top…can’t explain Delaware…it’s just there.
What is your role at UWSM? I am currently the Finance Associate at United Way of Southern Maine. I worked in the corporate sector for over 25 years but always had a connection to the United Way through my employer. When I decided to make a change and explore the non-profit world, I was delighted and honored to become an employee here at United Way of Southern Maine.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? When we worked downtown, my walk to the office took me by public housing for newcomers to Maine. The languages, the bright clothing, and the babies peeking out of slings on their mothers’ backs, all reminded me that people come to our country hoping they will find opportunity and something better. So despite the evidence of drug abuse, mental illness and homelessness I also saw downtown, these newcomers reminded me to look for, and appreciate, the positive things happening in our community and here at work.
How do you take your coffee? Dunkin’ Cold Brew with liquid sugar and skim milk
What’s your favorite book? If I have to pick just one, I would say "Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett. It is just a lovely book.
What’s on your bucket list? Go back to New Zealand.
What is your role at UWSM? I assist the financial/operations team in all aspects of accounting for the financial information of our organization. It is a role that works with and supports the entire staff.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? It is rewarding to be thanked by donors for being a part of working to improve our community.
How do you take your coffee or tea? natural almond milk creamer
What’s your favorite book? "When We Were Kennedys" by Monica Wood
What’s on your bucket list? Retire on or near the ocean
What is your role at UWSM? In 2002, I joined United Way as a Loaned Executive. I immediately realized that I had to be a part of this magical organization. Opportunity presented itself, and I gratefully accepted a position as the receptionist. Fast forward to today. Currently I am the Office Manager, reporting to the Senior Director of Finance and Operations. As the face of first impressions, it is my mission to provide excellent customer service to all visitors, volunteers, and staff members who pass through the doors of UWSM, or reaches out to us by phone.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Collecting household items donated to UW through our Gift-In-Kind program, in my Mother’s Taurus station wagon, and delivering them to needy families and New Mainers settling into our community.
How do you take your coffee or tea? I enjoy sipping a yummy cup of Jamaican Me Crazy flavored coffee with cream, or a 32 oz. cup of Aroma Joe's green tea with nothing in it.
What’s your favorite book? Any book that leaves a smile in my heart when I turn the final page.
What’s on your bucket list? 1.) Dine at the Lost Kitchen with my daughter, Jenny. 2.) Sample wine at a vineyard in Quebec with my dear friend Hernan. 3.) Dance with my darling Chomba at his wedding. 4.) Visit Italy and submerge myself in the richness of the culture by staying with a host family.
What is your role at UWSM? While my title is Executive Assistant to Liz Cotter Schlax, I also coordinate the meeting schedules for the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Finance Committee and the Board Development and Governance Committee. We have an amazing group of dedicated volunteers who serve on our Board and committees, and it's a pleasure to work with them.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My favorite work moment was when the Thrive2027 goals were adopted.
How do you take your coffee or tea? With milk
What’s your favorite book? It's impossible for me to pick just one!
My role at UWSM is to engage our corporate and community partners to raise funds and create meaningful community connections. The funds I raise go to support the many community support programs backed by the United Way of Southern Maine.
What’s your favorite work moment so far?
Getting to meet all the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and energy during the 2021 Week of Action.
How do you take your coffee?
I like a dark roast coffee with just a splash of half & half.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Be able to work with people that are so passionate about what they do and want to help others and the community that we live in any type of way.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Just black but decaf.
What’s your favorite book? Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype By Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I also loved the Neapolitan Novels By Elena Ferrante.
What’s on your bucket list? Write a book. Plant a tree. Have a child.
What is your role at UWSM? Senior Donor Engagement Manager
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Our Drive -Thru Food Drive last September
How do you take your coffee or tea? Iced coffee with almond milk (even in the Winter!)
What’s your favorite book? All of David Sedaris’ books of essays, I can reread them a million times.
What’s on your bucket list? Right now? More travel when it’s safe - internationally to Paris, Amsterdam, Chile, but also to US cities like Seattle, Portland (Oregon) Nashville, and Chicago
What is your role at UWGP? Senior Relationship Manager
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I really enjoyed working with the Loaned Executives, especially since I had been one. They are impressive people in their own right, and I enjoy seeing their rapid growth and how they come together as a team during a chaotic time to accomplish ambitious goals
How do you take your coffee or tea? Cold brewed and espresso drinks, preferably
What’s your favorite book? I tend to read non-fiction, and A History of the World in 6 Glasses was a great read
What’s on your bucket list? There is so much to see. To keep my list short, I’ll say sailing through the Greek Isles and seeing the northern lights.
What is your role at UWSM? Director, Marketing & Communications
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My first day was also the day that United Way of Greater Portland and United Way of York merged to become United Way of Southern Maine. It was exciting to see the two teams join forces.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Hot and a lot.
What’s your favorite book? Couldn’t choose a favorite book, but a few writers I love are Toni Morrison, Elena Ferrante, and Alice Munro.
Ken Holmes, Senior Manager, Digital Marketing and Communications
What is your role at UWSM? I mostly oversee our large-scale communications—from mass emails and social media to direct mail and brochures. I'm actually in charge of this website.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I really love to volunteer with the community partners that we support. It seems like every single volunteer opportunity is suddenly my new favorite work moment.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Black with two ice cubes
What’s your favorite book? I really like "The Undercover Economist" by Tim Harford
What’s on your bucket list? Step foot on every continent
What is your role at UWSM? Director, Technology and Data
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My favorite work moment so far has been seeing the people of Portland raise their hands to help the asylum seekers living at the Expo. In a climate where immigrants aren’t sure where to turn for safety and kindness, Portland opened its doors.
How do you take your coffee or tea?Summer: Cold brew with coconut milk Winter: Dirty chai latte
What’s your favorite book? It varies depending on my mood but I find myself often revisiting Les Miserables. Bonus fun fact: My orange tabby cat Hugo is named after Victor Hugo
What’s on your bucket list? I have always, always wanted to visit the Galapagos!
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
STAFF
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Liz Cotter Schlax
President and CEO
Liz Cotter Schlax, President and CEO
What is your role at UWSM? I have the great privilege of leading United Way of Southern Maine's phenomenal staff team to work in and with our community to achieve long-lasting positive change.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My favorite moments are when UWSM connects with new partners. I believe with my whole heart that people and organizations want to be part of positive change. Strengthening the social fabric of our community by helping to find a place for each organization and individual to connect and contribute truly inspires me to come to work each day.
How do you take your coffee? I take my coffee and my tea with milk, no sugar.
What’s your favorite book? Long-time favorite: "All the King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren. Recent favorite: "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
What’s on your bucket list? Hike the Milford Track again, this time with our children.
Dan Coyne
Senior Vice President, Community Impact and Finance
Dan Coyne, Senior Vice President, Community Impact and Finance
What is your role at UWSM? Dan oversees community impact efforts tied to United Way’s goals around education, financial stability, and health – the building blocks of a good life. He aligns funding, volunteerism, public policy, advocacy, and other strategies to ensure the impact is made at the population level throughout the community. A principal architect of Thrive2027, he provides strategic leadership to the Thrive2027 Council, a group that includes executives, administrators, and public officials from throughout the community who provides overall guidance and oversight of efforts to ensure the success of three bold community goals.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? There are so many, but being part of the community-wide process resulted in Thrive2027. In particular, seeing and hearing 2,200 people in Southern Maine articulate a compelling vision for a stronger community and then many working to make positive change inspires me every day.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Like a milkshake: with cream and a natural sweetener
What’s your favorite book? "Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson III"
What’s on your bucket list? Traveling to all seven continents and running the Antarctica marathon
Kristin Chase Duffy
Senior Vice President, Technology and Communications
Kristin Chase Duffy, Senior Vice President, Technology and Communications
What is your role at UWSM? Kristin joined United Way in 2013. Kristin received a BA in Communications and a MBA with a Concentration in Marketing from Bentley University. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and engagement with nonprofit and for-profit organizations. As a Mainer, who returned after a few years away because Maine is awesome, she loves to spend time with her husband and two kids and play in her gardens.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I have the privilege of working with staff and volunteers every day who are incredibly dedicated to and are making a difference in our community. It fuels me with a powerful sense of possibility.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Black
What’s your favorite book? "Game of Thrones" series
What’s on your bucket list? Watch the Tour de France in person with my husband.
Matt Wolcott
Senior Vice President, Resource Development and Governance
Matt Wolcott, Senior Vice President, Resource Development and Governance
What is your role at UWSM?
As Senior Vice President of Resource Development and Governance, Matt oversees the fundraising and revenue strategies as well as board recruitment and development efforts at United Way of Southern Maine.
Matt has been in the non-profit sector specializing in fundraising and development for over a decade. The common thread across his non-profit career centers on education. He has led annual and capital campaigns for a wide variety of organizations including an international school in Guatemala, an independent school in New Hampshire, and a national youth conservation organization based in Washington D.C.. Earlier in his career, Matt was involved in marketing communications for a global Fortune 1000 tech company near Boston.
Matt is active as a volunteer with Rotary, Boy Scouts of America, local youth sports, and serves as a lay leader with his church. He is a graduate of Plymouth State University. Matt resides in New Hampshire with his wife, Leah, and their four children.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Witnessing the genuine care and sense of responsibility from influential community leaders is both inspiring and gives me great hope for the next generation of leaders behind them.
How do you take your coffee? Little bit of soy, no sweetener.
What’s your favorite book? "All the Light We Cannot See", "The Bible", "Into Thin Air"
What’s on your bucket list? Newport-Bermuda Race (crew for hire!)
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Rebecca Alfredson
Director, Education
Rebecca Alfredson, Director, Education
Hannah Brier
Community Impact Manager, Operations
Hannah Brier, Community Impact Manager, Operations
What is your role at UWSM?
I am the Community Impact Manager, Operations and help support the CI team with a variety of different things. I also support many of United Way and Thrive2027’s Cabinets, Committees and Council.
What’s your favorite work moment so far?
At many Thrive2027 Council meetings I have seen collaboration and action happening in real time to help community members and it is truly incredible! All my favorite moments have been working with passionate coworkers, volunteers, partners and community members to make measurable change and work towards an equitable and thriving community.
How do you take your coffee?
I’m more of a mint tea or chai latte person.
What’s your favorite book?
Always hard to choose. I recently read White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo again and highly recommend it. I also recently read the Harry Potter books for the first time and loved them.
What’s on your bucket list?
I have a pretty long bucket list! Lots of it is travel but some are things like learning to juggle fire and playing the melodica.
Anne-Marie Brown
Senior Director, Operations
Anne-Marie Brown, Senior Director, Operations
What is your role at UWSM? Senior Director, Operations.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? It’s hard to decide, especially when we have both sides of the equation here – amazing coworkers and really impactful work. But, if I have to choose… I think I’d choose one of our Women United events when we had the opportunity to both hear about the work that is happening (and its successes) and got the chance to meet some of the moms who have been helped along the way.
How do you take your coffee or tea? I take my coffee (preferably flavored… hazelnut crème is my favorite for the moment) with a little sugar and oat milk.
What’s your favorite book? Such a hard question! I’ll take a turn here and say my favorite book(s) that I’m reading with my son right now are the Spirit Animal series. I love that it’s something we’re reading together, he gets really into them, and we can have a good conversation about the lessons you can learn from the characters.
What’s on your bucket list? Travel! I love traveling, experiencing new cultures – the architecture, food, customs, language … all of it! I have so many places on my list still to visit. But, I’d say bringing my kids with me is the next big thing – wherever it may be. I want them to be able to experience new and different places and people as well.
Patrick Carrigan
Tax Site Coordinator
Patrick Carrigan, Tax Site Coordinator
Bethany Campbell
Senior Director, Financial Stability
Bethany Campbell, Senior Director, Financial Stability
What is your role at UWSM? Senior Director, Financial Stability
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I am inspired every day by the work happening in our community. Recently I had the opportunity to see a group of high school students, from A Company of Girls, present a short play that they wrote, produced, and performed that represented a day in the life of a typical high school girl. Poignant, heart-wrenching and a wonderful reminder about the impact of our investments.
How do you take your coffee or tea? With milk and sugar.
What’s your favorite book? Too many to choose!
What’s on your bucket list? Travelling: to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and returning to England and Italy.
Haley Castle-Miller
Business Liaison, Greater Portland Workforce Initiative
Haley Castle-Miller, Business Liaison, Greater Portland Workforce Initiative
Amy Holland
Homeless Services Hub Coordinator, Midcoast
Amy Holland, Homeless Services Hub Coordinator, Midcoast
Ninette Irabaruta
Director, Public Policy and Advocacy
Ninette Irabaruta, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy
What is your role at UWSM? I am currently the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
What’s your favorite work moment so far? This is a hard one to answer for me because there have been many favorite work moments. For now, let me say that my two favorite work moments so far are – (1) developing relationships with key public policy stakeholders, and (2) listening to the issues community members bring to the table.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Black
What’s your favorite book? The unique powerful essay by the Martinique Poet/Politician Aime Cesaire - “Discourse on Colonialism.” It is claimed to be the pioneering work in the study of post colonialism.
What’s on your bucket list? Earning a Ph.D. and Visiting Indigenous Communities across all continents!
Kerrie Keller
Senior Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability
Kerrie Keller, Senior Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability
What is your role at UWSM? As the Senior Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability, I support United Way’s work related to Thrive2027’s Goal 2. I am a proud AmeriCorps VISTA alum and graduate of the University of Vermont.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? From community conversations and workplace rallies to reader trainings and food drives, I love how UWSM brings together people from different parts of our community to ensure that Southern Maine is a great place for everyone.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Herbal tea for me.
What’s your favorite book? I don’t like picking favorites, but if I had to, it might be a three-way tie between "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf, "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster, and "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer.
What’s on your bucket list? I have always wanted to take a ride in a hot air balloon!
Lee Klarman
Director, Health
Lee Klarman, Director, Health
Mary Madden
Director, Evaluation
Mary Madden, Director, Evaluation
Director, Evaluation
mmadden@uwsme.org
Nina Misra
Community Impact Manager, Health
Nina Misra, Community Impact Manager, Health
Lucia Rico
Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability and CA$H
Lucia Rico, Community Impact Manager, Financial Stability and CA$H
Karen Stephenson
Director, Community Investments
Karen Stephenson, Director, Community Investments
What’s your favorite work moment so far? We do a lot of work with our education partners. One of my favorite things is to start the day in an elementary school classroom. There is so much energy. Teachers in that age group are amazing. I love seeing the students when something clicks and they are able to identify a new letter or read the sentence that has been a struggle for them. Their minds are always soaking in information and they're full of questions.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Coffee. Strong. Black (no sugar).
What’s your favorite book? There's no way I can answer this with just one title.
What’s on your bucket list? This is such a long list…travel mostly, Galapagos, Alaska, and Delaware are at the top…can’t explain Delaware…it’s just there.
Nikki Williams
211 Maine Program Manager
Nikki Williams, 211 Maine Program Manager
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Lisa Miller Bertsch
Finance Associate
Lisa Miller Bertsch
Finance Associate
What is your role at UWSM? I am currently the Finance Associate at United Way of Southern Maine. I worked in the corporate sector for over 25 years but always had a connection to the United Way through my employer. When I decided to make a change and explore the non-profit world, I was delighted and honored to become an employee here at United Way of Southern Maine.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? When we worked downtown, my walk to the office took me by public housing for newcomers to Maine. The languages, the bright clothing, and the babies peeking out of slings on their mothers’ backs, all reminded me that people come to our country hoping they will find opportunity and something better. So despite the evidence of drug abuse, mental illness and homelessness I also saw downtown, these newcomers reminded me to look for, and appreciate, the positive things happening in our community and here at work.
How do you take your coffee? Dunkin’ Cold Brew with liquid sugar and skim milk
What’s your favorite book? If I have to pick just one, I would say "Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett. It is just a lovely book.
What’s on your bucket list? Go back to New Zealand.
Dawn Cyr
Senior Finance Manager
Dawn Cyr
Senior Finance Manager
What is your role at UWSM? I assist the financial/operations team in all aspects of accounting for the financial information of our organization. It is a role that works with and supports the entire staff.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? It is rewarding to be thanked by donors for being a part of working to improve our community.
How do you take your coffee or tea? natural almond milk creamer
What’s your favorite book? "When We Were Kennedys" by Monica Wood
What’s on your bucket list? Retire on or near the ocean
Scott Oliver
Finance Support Manager
Scott Oliver
Finance Support Manager
Wendy O’Rourke
Senior Director, Finance and Operations
Wendy O’Rourke
Senior Director, Finance and Operations
What is your role at UWSM? Senior Director, Finance and Operations: Oversee accounting and finance for the organization.
How do you take your coffee or tea? black
What’s your favorite book? Don't have one
What’s on your bucket list? A trip to Ireland
Cameron Peden
Senior Director, Human Resources
Cameron Peden
Senior Director, Human Resources
Sharon Roberts
Office Manager
Sharon Roberts
Office Manager
What is your role at UWSM? In 2002, I joined United Way as a Loaned Executive. I immediately realized that I had to be a part of this magical organization. Opportunity presented itself, and I gratefully accepted a position as the receptionist. Fast forward to today. Currently I am the Office Manager, reporting to the Senior Director of Finance and Operations. As the face of first impressions, it is my mission to provide excellent customer service to all visitors, volunteers, and staff members who pass through the doors of UWSM, or reaches out to us by phone.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Collecting household items donated to UW through our Gift-In-Kind program, in my Mother’s Taurus station wagon, and delivering them to needy families and New Mainers settling into our community.
How do you take your coffee or tea? I enjoy sipping a yummy cup of Jamaican Me Crazy flavored coffee with cream, or a 32 oz. cup of Aroma Joe's green tea with nothing in it.
What’s your favorite book? Any book that leaves a smile in my heart when I turn the final page.
What’s on your bucket list? 1.) Dine at the Lost Kitchen with my daughter, Jenny. 2.) Sample wine at a vineyard in Quebec with my dear friend Hernan. 3.) Dance with my darling Chomba at his wedding. 4.) Visit Italy and submerge myself in the richness of the culture by staying with a host family.
Diane Smith
Executive Assistant
Diane Smith
Executive Assistant
What is your role at UWSM? While my title is Executive Assistant to Liz Cotter Schlax, I also coordinate the meeting schedules for the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Finance Committee and the Board Development and Governance Committee. We have an amazing group of dedicated volunteers who serve on our Board and committees, and it's a pleasure to work with them.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My favorite work moment was when the Thrive2027 goals were adopted.
How do you take your coffee or tea? With milk
What’s your favorite book? It's impossible for me to pick just one!
What’s on your bucket list? Traveling
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Kim Allen
Director, Corporate Engagement
Kim Allen
Director, Corporate Engagement
What is your role at UWSM? Director of Corporate Engagement
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Working at the Food Drive at Wayside
How do you take your coffee or tea? Black and highly caffeinated
What’s your favorite book? The Four Agreements
What’s on your bucket list? Travel the world, Drive Cross country—anything to do with traveling
Elliott Greene
Relationship Manager
Elliott Greene
Relationship Manager
What is your role at UWSM?
My role at UWSM is to engage our corporate and community partners to raise funds and create meaningful community connections. The funds I raise go to support the many community support programs backed by the United Way of Southern Maine.
What’s your favorite work moment so far?
Getting to meet all the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and energy during the 2021 Week of Action.
How do you take your coffee?
I like a dark roast coffee with just a splash of half & half.
What’s your favorite book?
Dune by Frank Herbert
What’s on your bucket list?
I’d like to make a transatlantic sail to Europe
Marjorie Hankla
Director, Major Giving
Marjorie Hankla
Director, Major Giving
What is your role at UWSM? Director, Major Giving
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Be able to work with people that are so passionate about what they do and want to help others and the community that we live in any type of way.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Just black but decaf.
What’s your favorite book? Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype By Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I also loved the Neapolitan Novels By Elena Ferrante.
What’s on your bucket list? Write a book. Plant a tree. Have a child.
Jason Ketterick
Director, Engagement
Jason Ketterick
Director, Engagement
What is your role at UWSM? Director, Engagement
What’s your favorite work moment so far? 2020 Campaign - an experience like no other...
How do you take your coffee? Latte with 6 espressos and no sugar
What’s your favorite book? Factfulness - Hans Rosling
What’s on your bucket list? Hiking Maine's 100 mile wilderness with my family
Jackie Mellgard
Senior Donor Engagement Manager
Jackie Mellgard
Senior Donor Engagement Manager
What is your role at UWSM? Senior Donor Engagement Manager
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Our Drive -Thru Food Drive last September
How do you take your coffee or tea? Iced coffee with almond milk (even in the Winter!)
What’s your favorite book? All of David Sedaris’ books of essays, I can reread them a million times.
What’s on your bucket list? Right now? More travel when it’s safe - internationally to Paris, Amsterdam, Chile, but also to US cities like Seattle, Portland (Oregon) Nashville, and Chicago
Alexandra Turnbull
Donor Engagement Manager, Women United
Alexandra Turnbull
Donor Engagement Manager, Women United
Andrea Solomita-Bourque
Leadership Giving Manager
Andrea Solomita-Bourque
Leadership Giving Manager
What is your role at UWSM? Leadership Giving Manager
What’s your favorite work moment so far? Learning that our community’s commitment to Thrive2027 makes us stronger as ONE.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Coffee. Early and often.
What’s your favorite book? Alex Katz in Maine
What’s on your bucket list? Hike Katahdin again and continue to check off Baxter’s 40+ amazing peaks.
Mike Young
Senior Relationship Manager
Mike Young
Senior Relationship Manager
What is your role at UWGP? Senior Relationship Manager
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I really enjoyed working with the Loaned Executives, especially since I had been one. They are impressive people in their own right, and I enjoy seeing their rapid growth and how they come together as a team during a chaotic time to accomplish ambitious goals
How do you take your coffee or tea? Cold brewed and espresso drinks, preferably
What’s your favorite book? I tend to read non-fiction, and A History of the World in 6 Glasses was a great read
What’s on your bucket list? There is so much to see. To keep my list short, I’ll say sailing through the Greek Isles and seeing the northern lights.
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
Ellen Agnew
Director, Marketing & Communications
Ellen Agnew, Director, Marketing & Communications
What is your role at UWSM? Director, Marketing & Communications
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My first day was also the day that United Way of Greater Portland and United Way of York merged to become United Way of Southern Maine. It was exciting to see the two teams join forces.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Hot and a lot.
What’s your favorite book? Couldn’t choose a favorite book, but a few writers I love are Toni Morrison, Elena Ferrante, and Alice Munro.
What’s on your bucket list? Writing a book.
Abraao Antonio
Data Manager
Abraao Antonio, Data Manager
What is your role at UWSM? Data Manager
How do you take your coffee or tea? With Sugar
What’s your favorite book? Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
What’s on your bucket list? Visit all the countries of the world in 1 year.
Devin Birks
Marketing Manager
Devin Birks, Marketing Manager
Ken Holmes
Senior Manager, Digital Marketing and Communications
Ken Holmes, Senior Manager, Digital Marketing and Communications
What is your role at UWSM? I mostly oversee our large-scale communications—from mass emails and social media to direct mail and brochures. I'm actually in charge of this website.
What’s your favorite work moment so far? I really love to volunteer with the community partners that we support. It seems like every single volunteer opportunity is suddenly my new favorite work moment.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Black with two ice cubes
What’s your favorite book? I really like "The Undercover Economist" by Tim Harford
What’s on your bucket list? Step foot on every continent
Keith Ray
Technology Support Manager
Keith Ray, Technology Support Manager
Sarah Warren
Director, Technology and Data
Sarah Warren, Director, Technology and Data
What is your role at UWSM? Director, Technology and Data
What’s your favorite work moment so far? My favorite work moment so far has been seeing the people of Portland raise their hands to help the asylum seekers living at the Expo. In a climate where immigrants aren’t sure where to turn for safety and kindness, Portland opened its doors.
How do you take your coffee or tea? Summer: Cold brew with coconut milk Winter: Dirty chai latte
What’s your favorite book? It varies depending on my mood but I find myself often revisiting Les Miserables. Bonus fun fact: My orange tabby cat Hugo is named after Victor Hugo
What’s on your bucket list? I have always, always wanted to visit the Galapagos!