United Way thanks our LINC Committee Co-chairs Chris Eichner, Froedtert Health; Joe Gibson, Morgan Stanley; and April Rechlitz, Harley-Davidson Motor Co.!

LINC successfully transitioned their volunteer and social events to virtual opportunities this year. These events showed the true spirit of LINC: lifting up the community when it needed it most and offering meaningful personal and professional networking opportunities for members.

It's not too late to see for yourself what this young professional group has been up to. Join LINC for their final event, 12 Days of Philanthropy, which is currently underway.

Learn more and register.

If you'd like to learn more about LINC, contact Casey Renn.

United Way thanks our Technology United Council Co-chairs Nicole Conrad, Bostik; Antony D’Cruz, HSA Bank; and Scott Sievert, Accenture!

Launched in 2020, Techquity is a new collective impact initiative working to bridge the digital divide in our community. Supported by United Way’s Technology United network, Techquity connects stakeholders from business, education, and the social sector to promote digital equity and inclusion.

In addition to Techquity, Technology United has been gearing up for their annual CIO Forum, which will be held virtually on February 12, 2021. During this event, viewers will hear from prominent CIOs on key technology trends and strategies and make valuable connections during our networking session.

Learn more and register.

If you'd like to learn more about Technology United, contact Brea Stevenson.

United Way thanks our Retire United Advisory Committee Co-chairs Reid Engstrom, Bev Jurkowski, and Tom Littelmann!

Retire United has always cared about ensuring donors are educated on our community's most pressing issues. This year they offered a three-part informational series of webcasts addressing United Way's current work in our community. They invited not just retirees, but donors of all ages to participate in these important conversations and by having them virtually were able to reach more donors than ever before.

Watch the recordings here.

If you'd like to learn more about Retire United, contact Bev Arrowood.

United Way thanks our Diversity Leadership Society Council (DLS) Co-chairs Grady Crosby, Johnson Controls; Jasmine Johnson, ManpowerGroup; and DeVona Wright Cottrell, GMR Marketing!

Diversity Leadership Society began 2020 excited to help United Way elevate their signature issue, Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement. With the challenges faced this year, it would have been easy to back down and start elevating this issue next year, but that's not what they did. They've strengthened their message.

We hope you considered designating a portion of your donation this year to Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement. If you'd like to learn more about this initiative, please watch this recent webinar, Bridging Barriers, hosted by the Milwaukee Business Journal and moderated by DLS Co-chair Jasmine Johnson.

Please also consider applying to or sharing the application for Project LEAD Spring 2021. This seven-week training prepares community members for leadership roles on nonprofit boards and committees. Applications and supporting materials are due February 22, 2021. Apply here.

Thank you to our Project LEAD sponsor, Johnson Controls!

If you'd like to learn more about Diversity Leadership Society or Project LEAD, contact Samantha Mitchell.

United Way thanks our Women's Leadership Council Co-chairs Robyn Ludtke, Waukesha County Business Alliance; Jenny Nikolai, Froedtert Health; and Jessica Zeratsky, Husch Blackwell!

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County's Women United network continues to be the largest of any United Way in the world. These women get stuff done! Women United's annual Bruncheon was scheduled to take place in the spring, however that wasn't able to happen. They took the event virtual this fall with great success with powerful messages from Suzanne McCormick, U.S. President of United Way Worldwide, and Thelma Sias, our 2020 Linda T. Mellowes Woman Leader of the Year award winner.

This year's Bruncheon focused on how the pandemic disproportionally impacts women – particularly women of color – in multiple ways. According to the World Economic Forum, COVID-19 is the biggest setback to gender equality in a decade. Women United took that as a call to action to raise funds to support clients who are at risk of eviction – an event women are more likely to experience.

You can learn more and help us continue our fight for women and families by visiting the Women United page.

In case you missed the Bruncheon, you can watch the event recording here.

Thank you to our event sponsor, Advocate Aurora Health!

If you'd like to learn more about Women United, contact Mimi Laflin.

United Way thanks our Emerging Leaders Council Co-chairs Dante Houston, AMN Healthcare; Leslie Plamann, EY; and Erika Smith, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin!

This year Emerging Leaders successfully focused their efforts in education on establishing United Way's Anti-Racist Curriculum Awards while still having their annual events like Day of Action, the Philanthropic 5 Awards, and their leadership panel.

Emerging Leaders were also able to maintain their popular Emerging Readers program by transitioning it to a virtual fundraising opportunity while partnering with local bookstores. Volunteers weren't able to physically provide books this year, but through their donations we were still able to get books into the hands of kids at our nonprofit partners. It's not too late to support this school year. Learn more.

If you'd like to learn more about Emerging Leaders, contact Casey Renn.

Additional Ways to Make An Impact