Our Mission
Improve the lives of others by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
Our Vision
Build a community in which everyone has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.
We are your neighbors, co-workers and friends. We are a collaboration of donors, volunteers, organizations and experts—UNITED around the shared sense of purpose to reduce poverty in our community. Founded in 1923, United Way of Central Ohio is one of the largest United Ways in the country. We bring together more than 40,000 donors, advocates and volunteers, because when we speak and act together, we have the power to do more and our impact multiplies.
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United Way of Central Ohio is a
volunteer-driven organization
Concerned and compassionate citizens created United Way of Central Ohio to help people in need and make our community a better place for everyone.
Today, we are mobilizing the caring power of thousands of individuals and central Ohio employers to advance the common good. Together, we are working to create opportunities for a better life for all. We are joining hands, opening our hearts, lending our muscle and finding our collective voice.
Position:
Vice President, Public Partnerships
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Biography:
In his role, David leads United Way of Central Ohio’s public partnerships department, where he is responsible for the accountability of currently funded work and for growing public revenue. David has led United Way’s basic needs work and central Ohio’s Stable Families program. He has also led the oversight and alignment of program investments with the goal of increasing student success by the end of third grade. David joined United Way in 2016 and was previously AVP, Community Impact.
He received both his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree from The Ohio State University.
Position:
Vice President of Resource Development & Chief Development Officer
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As Vice President of Resource Development and Chief Development Officer with United Way of Central Ohio, Mary Birchard leads a comprehensive resource development program and fundraising team to support United Way’s mission. Mary and her team work closely with donors and corporate partners across central Ohio to support their philanthropy and year-round community engagement.
Prior to joining United Way as a relationship manager in 2017, Mary worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio. She began her career as a special education teacher in the Bronx, New York.
Mary holds a master’s degree in special education from CUNY Hunter College and a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from The Ohio State University. She is also a 2023 graduate of Leadership Columbus and a longtime mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Position:
President and CEO
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Lisa S. Courtice is president and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio, one of the larger United Way organizations in the country. Under her leadership, United Way is helping to build a community in which everyone has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.
Dr. Courtice is a Ph.D. psychologist with over thirty years of experience leading nonprofit programs and services, having served for over ten years as director of agencies directly providing services to those living in poverty in Ohio. Prior to joining United Way she served thirteen years as executive vice president and leader of community research and grants management of The Columbus Foundation, the seventh largest community foundation in the country.
Lisa currently serves on the boards of Syracuse University College of Arts & Sciences, Ohio United Way, Urban Land Institute, Community Information Exchange Executive Council and Aspyr. In 2022 she was elected by her United Way peer CEOs to serve on United Way Worldwide’s National Advisory Council. Her professional leadership has included chairing the Weinland Park Collaborative and serving on Ohio Wesleyan University and Columbus School for Girls boards of trustees.
Lisa received her Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University, her Master of Arts from West Virginia University and her Ph.D. from the University of Akron. She has been featured in Columbus Business First Power 100 for the past six years. In 2023, Lisa was named as a Business First Woman of Influence.
Position:
Director, Content & Communications
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Jill Geiger joined the Marketing Department at United Way of Central Ohio in January 2011 as Marketing Manager, Content Generation. As a member of the marketing department, she was responsible for writing and editing content for materials targeted to both internal and external audiences. She also developed and managed production of collateral materials, provided website and email content, and managed marketing projects across the organization.
Jill became the organization’s Director of Marketing in 2018, leading the development and implementation of communications messages and tools. Along with her team of two, she ensured the coordination and brand consistency of communications within the organization, and managed the creation and production of digital, print and audiovisual materials. She was named the organization’s Director, Content & Communications in January 2020. Her work at United Way has given her the unique opportunity to explore and share the stories of impact of many of central Ohio’s nonprofits.
Jill’s 30+ year career has included positions as writer/editor of a national hobby newspaper (weekly), as editor of a national bicycling magazine (monthly) and communications director for The Childhood League Center, a nonprofit center for children with special needs.
Position:
Vice President, Information Technology & Community Impact Center
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Melanie brings a wealth of expertise, diverse skill set and unwavering dedication to both technological innovation and community empowerment. Her passion lies in serving the community, people and problem solving. She believes in leveraging technology to make a positive impact on communities. Melanie has over 25 years of IT experience in various sectors, including retail, business and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining United Way in November 2019, she worked in IT Network Operations for DSW for 19 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Network Communications Management from DeVry University.
A graduate of The African American Leadership Academy, a community-based leadership development program, Melanie takes pride in her personal growth and leadership development in the central Ohio community. She is also a graduate of Project Diversity Pride Leadership, a renowned board leadership development program. Melanie’s commitment to creating meaningful change led her to serve on the board of directors for Upic Solutions, an information technology and business solutions nonprofit dedicated to supporting United Way. She is also a longtime mentor with New Directions Career Center E³ program and Per Scholas Tech Women of Color program.
Position:
Vice President, Finance & CFO
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As Vice President of Finance for the United Way of Central Ohio, Juliana leads the Finance, Accounting and Donor Services functions of the organization and oversees the back-office services contracts for other United Ways and fiscal sponsor programs.
Juliana is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has over 15 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit finance and administration. Prior to joining United Way as Finance Director in 2018, Juliana served in several finance and administrative roles at The Ohio State University and Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.
She has a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s in public administration from The Ohio State University. Juliana is also a 2022 graduate of Leadership Columbus and an active community volunteer.
Position:
Vice President, Chief People & Equity Officer
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Originally from the Cleveland area, Kourtni has lived, worked, and served in central Ohio since 2010, committed to engaging and learning from her Columbus community. To date, she has nearly 10 years of community service and advocacy experience.
Kourtni is the HR Manager at United Way of Central Ohio, where she leads an organizational strategic goal focused on creating a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, oversees benefits administration, and works closely with diversity and inclusion to assess and provide diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives to staff. She also serves as a member of the organization’s Leadership Team.
Kourtni is a member of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and in 2018, she received her SHRM certification. She is passionate about reinvesting in central Ohio, demonstrated through her completion of UWCO’s Project Diversity program, as a fellow of the 2020 African American Leadership Academy class and volunteerism at Community Shelter Board, and Godman Guild Association’s mentoring program. Kourtni has previously served on the Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA Advisory Board and as the secretary of the Board of Trustees for Bridgeway Academy.
Position:
Vice President, Success by Third Grade
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As Vice President of Success by Third Grade, Cheryl leads a collective impact approach to ensure all third grade students are on a path to success by 2035. She has dedicated her career in service and support to advancing the social, emotional and mental health well-being of our community’s students and families.
Prior to joining United Way, she served as Executive Director of Whole Child Supports with Columbus City Schools. She also served in supervisory roles with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health, Department of Youth Service and Rosemont Center.
Cheryl is a product of Columbus City Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and a master’s degree in clinical counseling from The Ohio State University. Cheryl is a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervisory endorsement in the state of Ohio and holds an ODE administrator license.
Position:
Vice President, Community Engagement
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Biography:
Michael Wilkos is Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio. He works with a team that develops effective strategies to improve our community and invests in programs provided by more than 90 funded nonprofit partners to implement these strategies. He is a sought after presenter on topics ranging from neighborhood revitalization, poverty, economic mobility, segregation, redlining, gentrification, history and demographics.
Prior to joining United Way, Michael served as a senior grants officer and director of community research at The Columbus Foundation. During his tenure at the foundation he initiated, led and managed competitive grant-making to support holistic community revitalization in Weinland Park, an effort to stabilize and revitalize a mixed-income community near The Ohio State University where he has resided since 2008. Additionally, he provided direction and management for many categories of grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation and affiliated funds including The Joseph A. Jeffrey Fund, The Columbus Youth Foundation and the Ingram-White Castle Foundation.
Prior to joining The Columbus Foundation, Michael served as senior impact director and director of neighborhood development at United Way of Central Ohio. In that position he managed program allocations supporting neighborhood development strategies. Among many other duties, he also directed volunteer involvement in developing and implementing strategies supporting housing and community safety programs.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University. He has served on many boards including: Columbus and Franklin County Continuum of Care, which oversees program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to respond to homelessness, Franklin County Community Economic Development Advisory Board, United Neighborhood Centers of America, Columbus Landmarks Foundation and Columbus Neighborhood Design Center, Converge Columbus, Emergency Food and Shelter Board, Economic Mobility Coalition, The Buckeye Flame, SID Public Services and has served as a commissioner for both Italian Village and the University District.
