FOR RELEASE: January 26, 2015

United Way Welcomes Seven New Board Members at Annual Meeting

Seven new members were elected to the Board of Directors for three year terms at the United Way Annual Meeting January 22^nd. Ken Mifflin chaired the Nominating Committee, a group that reviewed an extensive list of potential members, considering the skills needed by the United Way in light of the talents and experiences of departing Board members. Pictured, from left, are Daniel Fitzgerald, Wendy Hearn, Nancy Weissler, Bill Finger. Not pictured are Donna Byrnes and Deb McLaughlin.

Donna Byrnes is professionally affiliated with Greenwich Academy, as the Director of Development. She has a long relationship with the Greenwich United Way as the wife of former Board member and Campaign Chair, Bob Byrnes.   Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Donna is a staunch Sole Sister supporter in addition to other major United Way events.  She recently served on the Community Investment Committee. She and Bob live Greenwich where they raised their two now adult children.

Bill Finger was born in New York City, raised in Westchester County, and has been a Greenwich resident and volunteer for many years.  Professionally, Bill is in the commercial real estate development and management industry as the owner of the William R. Finger Company and co-managing partner of Eastpointe, LLC.  His local volunteer work includes many years serving on the Board of Parks and Recreation, Greenwich Basketball Association, GHS Sports Council, and the POCD Housing Task Force.  He is currently a member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation and the Greenwich Hospital Community Advisory Board.  Bill has two adult children and is married to Elizabeth Finger.

Daniel Fitzgerald is a Greenwich based attorney and partner in the Private Clients Group of Cummings and Lockwood, where he focuses on estate planning and administration.  He became involved with the Greenwich United Way through his service as Vice-Chair of the Board of Community Answers. He also serves as a board member of Meals on Wheels, and is the immediate past President of the Greenwich Bar Association.  Born and raised in New Milford, CT, he lives in Greenwich with his wife Cathy.

Wendy Hearn previously worked in product management and sales within the technology sector. She is now focused on raising her family, volunteering on school committees at GCDS, and helping out with various community endeavors. Wendy came to know us through the Sole Sisters annual luncheon — and is looking forward to working more deeply with the Greenwich United Way going forward. She has also taken on local volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross, Greenwich Hospital and Greenwich Historical Society. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Wendy now lives in Greenwich with her husband Chris and two sons.

Debra McLaughlin has been a key player on the Greenwich United Way’s Campaign Team for the past two years and is currently co-chairing the Leadership division.  A Reading Champion tutor at Glenville School, she also helped out with the Planning Council’s last Needs Assessment.  Deb was born and raised in Pennsylvania and previously worked as the Director of a Psychiatric Institute in North Carolina.  She is very actively involved with the Junior League, having served as Treasurer, the Fundraising Chair, and currently as the co-chair of Positively More.  Her additional volunteer commitments extend to the Convent of the Sacred Heart and St. Michael’s.   Deb lives in Greenwich with her husband Michael and daughter, a CSH student.

Nancy Weissler has been an active Greenwich volunteer serving in leadership role with countless local non profit and municipal entities.  A former member of the RTM and Chair of the Board of Education, Nancy is now a member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation.  She is also currently involved with the Greenwich Alliance for Education and the Riverside Garden Club.  A native of Warwick, Rhode Island, she was professionally affiliated for more than twenty years with JP Morgan.  Now on the United Way Community Planning Council, she has been a participant in our Community Investment Process. She and her husband Mark are Riverside residents who have three grown children – an attorney, a medical student, and a senior at Yale.

Marie Woodburn is a former teacher who became involved with our United Way as a Reading Champion tutor.  She and her husband Bill have been generous United Way contributors for many years and Marie has been involved with the Sole Sisters.  Last year she joined our Community Investment Committee.  Marie has been an active volunteer with the Junior League, Green Fingers Garden Club, Brunswick Parents Association, Boys and Girls Club, and Greenwich Antiques Society.  Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Marie has also worked in interior design. The Woodburns live in Greenwich and have two grown children and two grandsons.

Virginia Meyer passes the United Way Chair’s gavel to Karen Keegan.

Greenwich United Way Officers for 2015 are:

Board Chair – Karen Keegan

Vice Chair, Fund Development – Brook Urban

Vice Chair, Community Services – Angela Lovely

Vice-Chair, Stewardship – Jill Weiner

Vice-Chair, Information and Referral – Kath Burgweger

Secretary – Anne Sherrerd

Departing from the Board were Dave Boutry, Fred Brooks, Steve Cunningham, Laura Geffs, Robert Lichtenstein, Jeffrey Ramer, Ellen Shapps Richman, and outgoing Chair Virginia Meyer. All were commended for their many years of service in wide ranging roles assisting the United Way in its work to ensure that critical local human service needs are met effectively and efficiently.

Since 1933, Greenwich United Way has been providing funding for programs that strengthen children and families, support seniors, help residents to become self sufficient, and assist those in crisis during their time of need. In addition to its work identifying and meeting health and human service needs, it is the largest non-governmental source of funding for local health and human service programs.