Six new directors join regional board
DANBURY, CT -- United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) has had six new members join its Board of Directors over the past year. The following new members joined the board: Mark Ouellette, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Pitney Bowes; Sonii Kollie, Environmental Coordinator, Kimberly Clark Corporation; Aaron Meyer, Managing Director, Man Group-GLG Silvermine; Natasha Williams, Managing Partner, N-Touch Strategies; Eric Duenwald, Treasurer, Synchrony Financial; and Tamara Brown, Director of Sustainable Development and Community Development, Praxair, Inc.
United Way’s Board of Directors serves as the governing board of UWWC, which serves 15 cities and towns in western Connecticut, including Danbury and Stamford.
“We are so pleased that this outstanding group of professionals have joined our Board of Directors,” Kimberly Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of UWWC. “Each of these individuals brings their own passion for being involved in the work we are doing in our communities to support hard- working, struggling households. We look forward to having their experience and insights on our board.”
The following are bios for the newest members of United Way of Western Connecticut’s Board of Directors:
Mark Ouellette, Pitney Bowes
Mark Ouellette, as the Senior Vice President of Global Operations, has the global responsibility for four business units, all regions, sales and service organizations representing $4.1 billion in annual revenue. He is a successful senior executive with a record of leadership and results spanning over 30 years in the Information Technology Industry. Mark is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a BS in Business & Economics. He currently serves as the Chair, of the Board of Trustees of Southern New Hampshire University.
Sonii Kollie, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Sonii Kollie is an Environmental health and safety professional whose duties have included responsibility for all environmental compliance in facilities located in Georgia, New Jersey and Connecticut. Sonii has extensive knowledge of environmental compliance related to air, water, spill prevention and waste. Sonii is a graduate of Cook College-Rutgers University with a BS in Environmental Sciences.
Aaron Meyer, Man Group-GLG Silvermine
Aaron Meyer is a Managing Director, Portfolio Manager and Founding Partner of an investment advisor firm focused on high yield credit, leads a team in all aspects of portfolio management, credit research and analysis, marketing structuring and investor communication. A lifelong passion for youth athletics, Aaron is ready to apply his skills and expertise to support our ALICE Enrichment Fund initiative. Aaron is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a BA in Economics, where he played Division I Varsity Baseball.
Natasha Williams, N-Touch Strategies
Natasha William is a Managing Partner of a strategic consulting firm that translates data and insights into highly effective actions to achieve desired outcomes for major public and private sector clients. She serves as a strategic advisor to various multinational companies, federal and nonprofit organizations for diversity, inclusion, strategic initiatives and community outreach programs. A graduate of University of North Texas with BS in Advertising, Minor in Marketing and Business, Natasha received her MBA from the University of Dallas.
Eric Duenwald, Synchrony Financial
As Treasurer, Eric Duenwald leads the Treasury Team for Synchrony Financial, responsible for funding, managing cash and market risk. After starting his career at Anderson Consulting, he joined General Electric (GE) where has held several roles including GE Capital, GE Capital Rail Services, GE Commercial Finance and GE Corporate Treasury. He joined Synchrony in 2014. Eric is a graduate of the University of Washington, with a BS in Chemistry and received his MBA from Syracuse University.
Tamara Brown, Praxair, Inc.
As Director of Sustainable Development and Community Engagement for Praxair Tamara Brown, is responsible for the strategic direction for global projects that make an impact in Praxair communities and align closely with the overall business goals of the organization. Her responsibilities include Sustainable Development reporting processes, auditing and the global Zero Waste program. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, BE Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Buffalo, Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and received her MBA from Canisius College.
Members of United Way of Western Connecticut’s Board of Directors include:
Cynthia Merkle, Union Savings Bank (Chair); Martin Anderson, Webster Bank (Vice Chair); Michael Shepherd, Genworth (Secretary); Cheryl Bakewell, Bakewell Mulhare, LLC (Treasurer); Dr. Keith Betts, Western Connecticut State University; George Garrett, Deloitte; Kurosh Marjani, Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky; Antonio Santiago, Naugatuck Valley Community College; Meera Vasudevan, Preferred Brands International; Ken Weinstein, Newtown Savings Bank; and Lisa Zana, Shipman and Goodwin, LLC.
Photos available at https://photos.app.goo.gl/M2evyLi70ljO8Er73
About United Way of Western Connecticut
United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) improves the lives of hard-working, struggling households by mobilizing the resources of local communities to create lasting change. We help residents across Northern Fairfield County, Southern Litchfield County and the City of Stamford by focusing on the vital building blocks for a good life: Education, Financial Stability and Health. We are committed to ensuring that every child enters school ready to learn, every family is financially stable, and every community we serve is healthy and strong. We are particularly focused on a population that United Way identifies as ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in our communities. A United Way report published in October 2016 revealed that in Connecticut, more than 1 in 4 households has earnings above the Federal Poverty Level, but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. Combined with those who are struggling below poverty level, 38% of all households in the state are experiencing financial hardship. By leveraging the collective power of the community, we are focused on creating an environment where individuals and families are self-sufficient and can achieve financial independence.
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Contact:
Sofia Dupi
United Way of Western Connecticut
203-297-6726
Sofia.dupi@uwwesternct.org
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