IN THIS ISSUE Diversity Leadership Society Emerging Leaders LINC (lead. impact. network. change.) Retire United Technology United Women United

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County recently welcomed Francesca Kempfer to the role of manager of major gifts and planned giving. Francesca has devoted her career to nonprofit fundraising in our community for 21 years, serving as development director at First Stage and 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and as director of engagement programs at Children's Wisconsin.

"I am excited to be joining United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and for the opportunity to work alongside our generous donors and volunteers who make this all possible. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team helping our community Live United!"

As she learns her new role, she’d love to hear from donors about why they choose United Way.

Contact Francesca.

The first virtual Technology United CIO Forum was held on February 12 with over 300 technology professionals tuning in. The event featured panel discussions around talent, security, digital transformation, and data/analytics/AI as well as an opportunity to network with CIO advisory board members. This year's event raised a record-breaking $440,000 for United Way!

Thank you to our event sponsors, our virtual event platform partner Zoom Communications, United Way's Technology United Council, and the CIO advisory board for their tremendous support. If you missed the CIO Forum, head over to the virtual event landing page to watch a recording.

There are three days left in our micro-fundraiser for Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement! Rockwell Automation, Inc. is matching your gifts up to $10,000. Donate here.

Enjoy our recent Q&A with Angela Adams, winner of the 2020 Linda McFerrin African American Nonprofit Leadership Award. Read what receiving this recognition means to her here.

Watch How to Talk to Your Children About Race here. Deanna Singh, founder/chief change agent of Flying Elephant, focused on how to talk to your children about race to help them develop a healthy understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Watch Changing The Narrative: Family Book Reading presented by the Singh Ponder Family here. Deanna Singh was joined by her husband Justin Ponder, and their sons, Zion and Zephaniah for this family-friendly virtual event. Zephaniah and Zion read "I am a Boy of Color" and discussed the writing and publishing process.

Do you want to learn the basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards, understand what is expected of individual board members, broaden your professional networks, and influence decisions impacting our community? Project LEAD is for you! Learn all of the above during a 7-week virtual training program. Deadline to apply and submit supporting materials is Friday, February 26! If you have any questions, please contact Samantha Mitchell.

Learn more and apply.

Women United is delighted to announce that Women's Leadership Council member Stacy Williams will be one of four co-chairs for the 2021 United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County campaign!

Stacy is a senior vice president and senior investment consultant with the Hodge Williams Group at Baird. She is a longtime volunteer with United Way, serving on United Way's Emerging Leaders Council prior to joining the Women's Leadership Council. Stacy has co-chaired both the Emerging Leaders and Women United donor networks and has served on United Way's board of directors.

"I love how United Way's approach is community based and community led. The focus is always on long-lasting change that goes beyond short-term charity to make our community a better place for everyone. Knowing that, it's easy to be a United Way supporter."

Aimee Wiedmeyer of Harley-Davidson has volunteered with Stacy for years.

"I'm proud to know and advocate alongside Stacy Williams for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. Stacy leads with consistency, tenacity, and candor – she is always the one asking questions to make us better and think more broadly."

During Emerging Leaders' 2020 Philanthropic 5 Awards, they announced a new fundraising effort to award mini grants to teachers for anti-bias and anti-racism efforts in the classroom. Thanks to your donations and a match from BMO Harris Bank, United Way will award at least 10 teachers $1,000 in grants to support their diversity, equity, and inclusion work with students.

The first round of awards include elementary, middle, and high school teachers from Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Names will be publicly announced soon!

Thank you to review committee volunteers Dante Houston, Leslie Plamann, Maricha Harris, and Dave Steele!

You can make a donation directly from your IRA to charitable organizations such as United Way and may experience a tax benefit.

Patricia of Waukesha County has been a United Way donor for as long as she can remember. First during her career as a teacher and then every year since retirement. Now she's chosen to donate her minimum required distribution from her IRA to United Way.

"What to do with the money – it was a 'no brainer!' Give it to United Way in a contribution for my sisters and brothers in our area who are suffering mightily this year. I know United Way will make good use of it," said Patricia.

Questions? Talk to your financial advisor, then contact Chelsea Omari at United Way.

United Way would like to welcome one of our newest LINC Committee members Morgan Harlan from Associated Bank.

"I grew up in the Greater Milwaukee area and upon graduating college, I knew it was imperative to give back to the community that provided me with my most formative experiences. I am so excited to be involved with LINC and United Way GMWC to learn more about the organizations doing amazing work around the city and to give back to the community that gave so much to me."

LINC will launch new programming starting in April. If you would like access and exposure to the Milwaukee area's top young professional talent network, reach out to Casey Renn for a variety of sponsorship opportunities.