United Way of Northeastern Minnesota Executive Director Erin Shay is now the leader of the statewide association, United Ways of Minnesota, in addition to heading the local organization. She recently assumed the role of United Ways of Minnesota board president.
“Each United Way organization across the state and nation is run independently, but this state association helps us connect with each other to share best practices and maximize our impact when possible,” Shay said.
Shay has served on the United Ways of Minnesota board since 2022. The association has one staff person; the board of directors addresses executive and legislative affairs, training, and identifies shared communication opportunities across the state. Most recently, United Ways statewide collaborated with United for ALICE through the association to release the “ALICE in Minnesota: A Study of Financial Hardship” report.
“The United Ways of Minnesota are indeed lucky to have Erin Shay as our new board president,” said United Ways of Minnesota Executive Director Doris Pagelkopf. “She brings an excellent and extensive background to the position.”
As association board president, Shay hopes to find opportunities for United Ways across the state to work together to stabilize ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.
UWNEMN Board President LaTisha Gietzen said this appointment exemplifies what an asset Shay is to our region and state.
“The state association is lucky to benefit from Erin’s innovation like our local United Way has for 20 years, and our region can be proud knowing she is advocating to ensure rural communities like the ones we serve are being fully considered at state-level discussions,” Gietzen said.