Historical Perspectives: UWRA/United Way NEXT Staff Leaders Stand on One Another’s Shoulders
Even Artificial Intelligence understands the value of the staff leaders of non-profit organizations: “They provide vision, strategic direction, and operational efficiency, while also fostering a positive organizational culture and building strong relationships with stakeholders.” What a perfect description of our association’s CEOs – starting as leaders of United Way Retirees Association (UWRA) and evolving to our present-day United Way NEXT.
As we look back on the individuals who have guided this association forward, it becomes clear how each brought unique strengths that helped shape the organization we know today. The following reflections highlight the staff leaders who carried UWRA and now United Way NEXT through key moments of growth, transition, and renewed purpose.
The Staff Leaders Behind Our Journey
Joan Dixon, Board Secretary, 1995-1998 [deceased]
Joan spent the four years prior to her retirement on a three-day-per-week loan to the United Way Retirees Association from United Way of America. Her experience as UWA’s conference planner fit well with our association’s schedule of conferences that were held in conjunction with national and regional staff conferences. Previous experience in fund-raising helped her organize Board Members’ efforts to recruit members.
“If I do my job well, our membership will grow from dozens to hundreds,” she wrote in a newsletter article when her appointment was announced. She envisioned a future in which “many of our members don’t want to leave United Way when they complete their employments. UWRA provides an opportunity to create ways for them to continue serving as well as contact with their colleagues.”
Joan’s vision set the tone for future leadership, opening the door for those who would continue building a strong, connected community.
Lyanne Wasserman, Executive Secretary 1999-2001 [deceased]
Lyanne used decades of non-profit association management experience to raise the sights of UWRA from a “member services” association by adding the dimension of United Way “system services.”
As she began her three-year term of service, she wrote, “Working with people who have given years of their lives to serving others is a dream come true. I hope to build upon Joan Dixon’s staff role to increase opportunities for them to increase their support of the people who followed them, especially new leaders of local United Ways in the U.S. and abroad.”
(Note: From its beginning in 1990 through the early years of the 21st century, UWRA members were often called upon to provide volunteer support to the creation of United Way organizations in dozens of countries all over the world.)
With Lyanne’s leadership, the association continued to evolve as a global source of support and expertise, ensuring members remained connected to the broader United Way mission.
Carole Peters, Keith Barsuhn, Amber Kelleher, & Tricia Smith at 35th Anniversary Reception (April 2025).
Tricia Smith, Executive Director, 2001-2017
What started as a part-time campaign manager role in 2001 evolved into a 16-year journey for Tricia Smith, working alongside a dedicated Board. Tricia says she was inspired by the organization’s mission and the collaborative, service-oriented spirit of the Board and its members. During Tricia’s tenure, the organization expanded volunteer opportunities in support of local United Ways, including mentoring, planned giving assistance, interim staffing, and crisis support. In addition, UWRA grew Leadership Giving, launched an endowment fund, published United Way history books, and hosted a series of webinars for retirees led by retirees. Many of the early UWRA programs were geared to helping small United Ways and after serving as UWRA President and CEO, Tricia joined United Way Worldwide in 2017 as the Small Cities Director before retiring in 2024.
Tricia continues to champion Small and Mighty United Ways part-time, motivated by their commitment and community impact. Tricia and her husband, lifelong East Coasters, recently moved to Bend, Oregon, to be near two of their children and spouses. Future travel will frequently be trips to Moldova where their son and daughter-in-law reside. Reflecting on her experience, Tricia shared, “I learned so much from each Board Chair and member with whom I had the privilege to serve. It is exciting to see today’s leadership building on that foundation and growing in new, innovative ways.”
Tricia’s long and dedicated service created meaningful continuity, bridging the early days of UWRA with a more modern and expanded vision for what the association could become.
Amber Kelleher, Executive Director, 2017-2020
Amber Kelleher considers her work with United Way Retirees Association as one of the highlights of her career. “Some people call United Way a network. Some call it a system. To me, it is a community. I recognized early on that UWRA members were committed to a shared purpose,” she said.
It was during Amber’s tenure that the organization began its rebranding work to consider what it could be in the future. Amber is most proud of the evolution that has led to United Way NEXT. She also found the increase in volunteer opportunities and educational programs most rewarding, especially as she worked with talented and caring Board Members. The endowment also grew during this time with the addition of named funds.
Today, Amber serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council, an association that provides education and resources for the talent mobility community. Amber continues to support United Way NEXT as she sees Carole Peters’ light, energy, and excitement “casting a wider net” to include as many people as possible who are connected to the United Way community.
Amber’s leadership marked a pivotal era of reinvention, laying the groundwork for United Way NEXT and deepening the sense of community that continues today.
Keith Barsuhn, Interim President & CEO, 2021
With Amber’s departure, Keith Barsuhn served as the organization’s Interim President & CEO. “On my first day in January 2021, I met a couple of part-time staff members in Alexandria,” said Keith, “and then we worked entirely remotely for the rest of that time.”
Keith had served in Interim roles in San Francisco and for the New York State United Way and was familiar with the usual role of an interim leader: assess and strengthen policy, processes, finances, and the team. However, in this situation, it became “all hands-on deck” to lead the transition to United Way NEXT and facilitate the search for its next leader. “Barbara Edmond was superb in her leadership of this rebranding plan,” Keith stressed.
Following the selection of Carole Peters, Keith joined the UW NEXT Board of Directors and is currently serving as the Interim CEO for United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties in Florida – conveniently located where he lives in The Villages, surrounded by about 800 holes of golf (which he plans to play eventually.)
“United Way NEXT is the best membership any United Way alumni can invest in,” Keith said. “You can stay in touch with the United Way community on your terms and you can help in some way if that’s something you want to do. Plus, you have lots of opportunities to continue to learn.”
Keith’s steady hand ensured that the organization could move confidently into its next chapter, honoring the past while preparing for new leadership.
Carole Peters, President & CEO, 2022-Present
Carole Peters became the President & CEO for United Way NEXT in August 2022 after serving as the President and CEO for United Way of Greater McHenry County, IL. Since joining the organization she’s demonstrated her special talent for building relationships.
“United Way NEXT is truly a community where people belong,” Carole said. “I want everyone to feel a connection. Their relationship with United Way is what draws members in…and they stay because they feel a part of United Way NEXT.”
Carole believes that it is incredibly important for new members to make a connection with others soon after joining so she emphasizes her commitment by engaging with as many members as possible. “Our Board made a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in 2023 and we continue to live that commitment every day,” said Carole.
In addition to her focus on connections, Carole recognizes the importance of having a strong United Way NEXT staff – and that requires investment. “I want to stress the importance of making an investment in United Way NEXT during this 35th anniversary year,” Carole indicated. “I hope United Way professionals will honor the individuals who made a difference in their careers and lives by making a special gift at this time.”
To celebrate this milestone, Carole invites United Way professionals and alumni to join United Way NEXT’s special year end celebration on Thursday, December 11th from 3-4pm ET. This 35th Anniversary Social Hour will be co-hosted by Paul DeBassio, Board Chair and Ann Fox, Incoming Chair.
Today, under Carole’s leadership, the organization continues to grow in connection, belonging, and purpose, all while honoring the foundation built by the leaders who came before her.
Carrying Their Work Forward
The challenge of leading leaders requires skills not easily practiced and lots of effort. How wonderful that our association’s leaders have been up to the challenge. . . .and then some!
Together, these dedicated leaders helped shape the heart and future of United Way NEXT. Their vision, commitment, and love for the United Way community continue to guide our work today. As we celebrate their legacy, we invite you to stay connected, share your own stories, and help us carry this mission forward for the NEXT generation of United Way professional and alumni.
If you’re interested in taking action, we’d love for you to get involved or learn more about our 35th Anniversary today! And if you’re enjoying our Historical Perspectives series, you can catch up on past articles here!
About the Authors
Dick Aft, UW NEXT Emeritus Board Member
Following a 40-year United Way career during which Dick raised over a billion dollars to support local non-profit human services, he earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership & Development. Since then, he has served as an interim United Way CEO and mentor, and he has tried to use the things he has experienced and learned.
These include coaching new presidents of colleges and universities as sole proprietor of Philanthropic Leadership. Serving as a volunteer board officer of a score of organizations, currently: the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati College Conservatory, Hoxworth Blood Center, the American National Classical Music Hall of Fame, and as Past Chairman and an emeritus board member of United Way NEXT. Teaching Values-Based Management [ethics] to Xavier University MBA students for 10 years. Spending 10 years “Of Counsel” with Gilman Partners Executive Search specializing in filling non-profit CEO positions. Serving as a historian for the 130-year-old United Way movement. [Four books, 25 webinars, and over 70 articles published to date.] Voluntarily helping Greater Cincinnati non-profit organizations strategically identify and recruit Board Members.
Dick’s wife Mary Lu has made dozens of foundation-funded trips abroad to coach government, business, and volunteer leaders on the establishment and oversight of health and social service organizations. Many of these trips have been as representatives of the former United Way International. Two of their three sons and one daughter-in-law are former United Way CEOs. Together, they have been United Way execs for over 100 years.
Read additional articles by Dick here.
Teresa Hall Bartels, Former United Way International President
Teresa Hall Bartels is the founder and principal of Hallbart Consulting, L.L.C., focused on leadership, team effectiveness and strategy for commercial businesses and not-for-profit organizations. She is passionate about servant leadership and helping individuals and teams to become high-performing, high-integrity leaders.
Currently Bartels serves as a Master Chair for a Vistage CEO Peer Group, an Advancing Leaders group, and three Vistage groups inside client companies. She has served as Interim CEO four times during her career, most recently as Interim President, Newman University, where she also served on the Board of Trustees for nine years. Bartels was the founding chair of the board for the University Center of Lake County, IL, a consortium of 18 colleges and universities offering degree completion and graduate level courses.
Bartels began her career in fundraising with United Way of America. She and her husband, Chuck, owned and operated two Manpower franchises in Northern Minnesota and Northern Illinois. Subsequently, she was President and CEO for United Way International and then Gateway for Cancer Research.
Read additional articles by Teresa here.