Meet the United Way Staff

		Shelley Valentini Executive Director Shelley has been with the United Way of NEMN for 18 years now, with 14 years as the Executive Director. She has three grown sons, but as a stay at home mom she volunteered and organized events for years around the activities her sons were involved in. "Being a volunteer was a natural lead in for the position I'm in. I understand the passion and time that volunteers are being asked to commit to when serving the United Way organization. I've stayed with the United Way for all these years because I love the job I am doing! It is never boring, ever-changing, often exciting and the thousands of caring people I've met over the years is fantastic! I've seen the impact that people can make through participating in United Way in some way and it awe-inspiring the way it connects all of us." Away from work Shelley loves to be active, biking, skiing, walking, swimming, etc. besides her sons, she has two daughter-in-laws, a granddaughter, grand-dog and a great husband. She also travels with a group of girlfriends that she has pulled into volunteering for United Way.

		Erin Shay Resource & Marketing Director After completing her Bachelor's Degree at the College of St. Scholastica, Erin opted to move back to her "home on the Range" where she came to find her position with the United Way in October of 2004. She has been able to fulfill her passion for working with people whether it is meeting with area employees to talk about the good things United Way does, planning a United Way event or advocating for the Imagination Library program she coordinates for the organization. "It's amazing to me the amount of people I've been able to meet through United Way. I love going out and being able to tell them all of the things their donation is making possible for people in need right here in our area." In her spare time Erin doesn't slow down and continues to keep busy spending time with her family and friends doing a variety of activities such as snowmobiling, hunting or fishing, as well as her occasional trips to the spa and the mall! Erin lives with her husband Jeff and their 68lb Labradoodle Maddie.

		Paulette Walters Bookkeeper