UWRA Board Members

UWRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carl Zapora, Board Chair

Carl Zapora is the CEO of Zapora Consulting, LLC. From 2004-2011, Carl was the President and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County (Everett, Washington). Previously, Carl was VP & Mid-America Regional Director for United Way of America. He has held senior management positions at United Ways in Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 2014, Carl was appointed by the governor to the Edmonds Community College board of trustees. He is also a member of the Molina Healthcare of Washington board of directors, the University of Washington Bothell advisory board, and the Board Chair-Elect of the Washington State Association of Colleges.

Susan Gilmore, Board Chair-Elect

Susan Gilmore is the Executive Director of Community Engagement for the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership. Prior to joining FamilyWize, Susan served 25 years as a United Way professional, most recently as the President of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, office of the President at United Way Worldwide as Vice President of Membership Accountability, and Executive Director of the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon, Texas. She began her service career as Executive Director of the Panhandle Plains Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls.

Ed John, Treasurer

Ed John retired in 2013, as the Vice President of Planned Giving, Endowments and Principal Gifts from United Way Worldwide, after a 33-year career within the United Way system. He has worked for United Ways in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Charlotte. Until retirement, Ed held a certified financial planning (CPF) license along with other certifications in wealth counseling and retirement management. Ed partners with his wife, Joyce, in a major gift consulting firm, J and J Resource Development. Ed served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971.

Susan Dunn, Secretary

Susan Dunn joined United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut (UWCNCT) in 1990 as communications director
and was named president and chief executive officer in 2006. She retired in 2016. Susan is a past president of the board of trustees of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and currently serves on the board of NCCJ of Connecticut and Western
Massachusetts. She is a corporator of Hartford Hospital and an Ambassador for the Village for Families and Children.
"After a 26-year career at a local United Way, UWRA provided a way for me to stay connected to the colleagues and the mission that had been so important to my life. I have so enjoyed serving as a mentor to young professionals who hope to make United Way their career. It is my way of giving back for all that a United Way career gave to me." - Susan Dunn

Joe Tolan, Vice Chair of Membership

Joe Tolan is a native of New York City who received his MSW from Loyola University of Chicago. He retired after serving
on the staff at Metro United Way in Louisville for 30 years, the last fifteen as President and CEO.  Joe’s wife, Terry, is also a former United Way CEO.

"I believe our nation’s communities have never needed United Way more than they do today.  I also fervently believe that UW retirees and alumni represent a vast trove of knowledge, skill and ability that can be drawn upon by local United Ways as they seek to meet today’s many challenges." - Joe Tolan

Deborah Bayle, Vice Chair of Programs

Deborah Bayle served as President and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake (UWSL) from 1999- 2015. She led UWSL though a dramatic, ten-year transformation of its vision, mission and business model by developing and implementing a Collective Impact model. She is currently the CEO of DSB Consulting, LLC. Deborah also serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards.

“UWRA is an important resource for anyone who has a connection to United Way, whether a retiree, current staff member, local United Way organization or a state organization.  UWRA provides members with many valuable services, as well as opportunities for networking and service.  It's a great way to stay connected!” - Deborah Bayle

Ed Rivera, Vice Chair of Revenue Diversification

Ed Rivera started his career with United Way at United Way of America as a Group I Intern. He has also worked with United Way of Metropolitan Chicago (IL), United Way of the Coastal Bend (TX), United Way of Santa Clara County (CA), and Boulder County United Way (CO). Ed worked in leadership roles with two other organizations in the nonprofit sector before accepting another United Way role as President and CEO of Central New Mexico, where he served for 10 years before retiring in 2019. Ed was also actively involved with members of the New Mexico Association of United Ways, the statewide association.

Ralph Gregory, Immediate Past Board Chair

After beginning his United Way career with the planning council in Cleveland, Ohio, Ralph Gregory moved on to the
United Way of the Dayton Area (Ohio) – then served for over 28 years as the President & CEO of the United way of
Westchester and Putnam (New York). Currently, he is an adjunct professor with Fordham University’s Graduate School
of Social Service. He also hosts a call-in radio program on health and human service issues.

"Serving as a United Way professional was a privilege that I will always value – and having the opportunity to remain connected in a meaningful way with the network through UWRA is a truly fulfilling experience." - Ralph Gregory

Dick Aft, Board Member Emeritus

Richard N. “Dick” Aft, Ph.D.  retired in 2001 after 40 years as a United Way exec, the last 14 as president of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. He became UWRA’s first emeritus board member in 2017.  In 2005, he and his wife created the first named fund in the UWRA Endowment. Dick has written four books of United Way history and over 50 articles for UWRA’s UPDATES newsletter. He twice chaired United Way Worldwide’s National Professional Council, accepted 20 UWW overseas volunteer assignments, and founded and still supports Cincinnati’s Alexis deTocqueville Society.

"I believe that UNITED is a WAY to live, work and serve others." - Dick Aft

Carol Burger

Carol Burger retired in June 2018 as CEO of United Way of the Capital Area in Jackson, Mississippi, where she served
for 34 years. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Refill Jackson Initiative (a workforce training program), Chair of
Visit Jackson (the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau), Governance Committee Chair of the Greater Jackson Arts Council, Advisory Board member of St. Dominic Health Services, and is active with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi.

"I look forward to working with UWRA staff and the other Board members to continue to grow and strengthen the organization."

Barbara Edmond

Barbara began her career as a United Way professional in 1987, working at the United Way of Mid Coast in Bath, Maine, the United Way of Southeastern New England in Providence, Rhode Island, and 15 years as the Chief Professional Officer of the United Way of York County in Kennebunk, Maine. From 2004 – 2009, Barbara served as Vice President of Best Practice Exchange at United Way Worldwide, where she played significant leadership roles in the Standards of Excellence and transitioning to a community impact focus. Then from 2009 – 2013, Barbara consulted with local United Ways as Vice President of Mobilization Markets.

"UWRA is a platform for me to carry on my passion for helping Local United Ways become the best they can be in advancing the common good in
education, income and health and mobilizing others to act." - Barbara Edmond

Roger Frick

Roger Frick is a career United Way executive. He was CEO of two local United Ways in the first half of his career and spent the last half of his 35-year as CEO of the Indiana state association.  Prior to UW, he worked for a funded partner and was in the newspaper business. He believes the Retirees Association can apply great experience and learning to current challenges.

Thelma Garza

Thelma Garza is the former President and CEO of United Way of South Texas, where she served for 24 years. Prior to her CEO role, she worked at the United Way of the Coastal Bend in Corpus Christi, Texas for 9 years. Thelma found her work in McCallen, Texas extremely rewarding because of the tremendous needs in the region.

"The people who inspire me are those who have a huge impact on any kind of social justice issue. For example, Abraham Lincoln is an inspiration for abolishing slavery. Maybe we’re not making that kind of an impact in our community or region, but we are changing lives and that’s what it’s all about." - Thelma Garza

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson has been a trial lawyer, judge, city attorney and a United Way executive. She worked for the United Way of Central Ohio (volunteer from 1989-1999, and staff from 2003-2017). Janet dedicated many years to United Way. Now that she is retired, she spends her time with family and friends, and also serves on several non-profit boards and one public board.

Bill Mills

Bill Mills started his career over 40 years ago as a Kellogg Fellow with United Way of America. Before retiring in 2011, Bill's tenure with the network spanned over 35 years. His last position was Vice President of Talent Management/Executive Search. As a retiree, Bill enjoys mentoring young professionals and reconnecting with former colleagues and friends. He also loves exploring various places both domestically and internationally.

Rob Reifsnyder

Rob Reifsnyder began his United Way career as a National Intern. His 43-year career included positions with United Ways in Massachusetts, Ohio and Kentucky. He retired in 2018 after serving as CEO with United Way of Greater Cincinnati for 18 years. Rob currently works part-time as a UWW consultant to onboard new United Way CEOs. He also co-chairs the Capital Campaign for Cincinnati’s Regional Theater and serves as a volunteer for several other organizations.

"I’m looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with friends and associates I’ve known and worked with for almost
a lifetime! But I also hope to contribute in a small way to the work of the association."