A Letter from Board Chair Ken Rabitsch

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the resignation of our President and CEO, Brynn Grant. She has led our organization over the last four years through some of the most difficult times in our history and built a strong foundation for the future.

Having worked for the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) for nearly two decades before joining United Way of the Coastal Empire, Brynn will return to her roots in economic development to serve as CEO of the Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA).

During her time at United Way, Brynn cultivated collaboration, navigated unprecedented challenges, and created lasting partnerships to improve our organization and countless lives throughout the Coastal Empire.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brynn led the team to quickly raise $700,000 to provide vital support to the region. Under her leadership, United Way partnered with local government agencies to successfully process more than $10 million in federal relief funds on behalf of Chatham County and the City of Savannah. Over the last three years alone, the United Way team has mobilized the community to raise, secure, and strategically invest more than $31 million to improve lives in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties.

Brynn led the effort to create a strategic plan, ensuring that our United Way continues to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable and pathways for upward mobility so everyone can thrive. This work included more than 400 community leaders and volunteers. Today, the strategic plan committee and staff actively work to advance solutions in four bold goal areas, including Quality, Affordable Childcare, Financial Skills for Success, Ready & Resilient Workforce, and Safe & Stable Housing.

Brynn’s departure will certainly leave big shoes to fill, but I have the utmost confidence in the collaboration between our board of directors and staff to keep our organization moving forward during this transition. Our board is already forming a search committee to fill the role. We have had great success due to Brynn’s strong leadership and the team’s progress over the last four years. We will be looking for a leader to continue this momentum and move the organization onward and upward.

Brynn plans to continue her support for United Way and stay involved as a donor, advocate, and volunteer. Liberty County is gaining a dynamic leader, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish with her guidance. Please join me in thanking Brynn for her service and wishing her well in this new role.

Thank you all for your continued support of United Way and our community. United We Improve Lives!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

All the best,
Ken Rabitsch
Synovus