The Board of Directors and County Advisory Boards further United Way’s mission to improve lives through their decision-making, governance, and counsel, as well as maintaining the highest levels of stewardship.
BOARD MEMBERS
Effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Board Chair | Michael Kaigler, Chatham County
Board Vice Chair | Cecilia Russo Turner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
Immediate Past Chair | Ken Rabitsch, Synovus
Campaign Chair | Dr. Yancy Ford, Effingham County School District
Campaign Vice Chair | Ryan Chandler, Colonial Group, Inc.
Treasurer | Mark Sprosty, Savannah Economic Development Authority
Secretary | Taffanye Young, City of Savannah
Community Investments Chair | Sarah Jones, Truist
Direct Services Chair | Joe Tallent, Effingham Health System
Marketing Chair | Somi Benson-Jaja, Shot by Somi Studios
REO Chair | Kimberly Ballard-Washington, Attorney
Strategic Plan Chair | Ryan Sewell, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard
Volunteers Chair | Ansley Threlkeld, Attorney
At-Large | Mark Bennett, Gulfstream Aerospace
At-Large | Cindy Robinett, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard
At-Large | Chris Smith, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America
At-Large | Jay Wilson, International Paper
Appointed Liaisons:
Agency Executive Council | Patti Lyons, Senior Citizens, Inc.
Young Leaders | Tara Nobles, Colonial Group
Bryan County | Kathryn Downs, Bryan County Government
Effingham County | LaMeisha Hunter, Effingham Health System
Liberty County | Mayor Chris Stacy, City of Riceboro
Additional Members:
Kathleen Anderson, BrasselerUSA
David Burkoff, HunterMaclean
Judge Lisa Colbert, Chatham County Superior Court
Linda Cramer, Chatham County
Stephanie Cutter, Chatham Area Transit Authority
Jennifer Davenport, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce & Visit Savannah
Chief Terry Enoch, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
Marsha Fogarty, WTOC
Catherine Grant, ExperCARE
Chief Lenny Gunther, Savannah Police Department
Susan Hancock, Abshire Public Relations
Ben Hart, WJCL
David Hart, WSAV
Nolan Hennessee, St. Joseph’s/Candler
Tonia Howard-Hall, Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education
Bill Kelso, Goodwill of Southeast Georgia
Bob Klausmeier, Verde Outdoor
Quentin Marlin, Ellis Painter Attorneys At Law
Sam McCachern, Thomas & Hutton
Jamie McCurry, Georgia Ports Authority
Sametria McFall, Savannah State University
William Mock, Georgia Power
Paul Mosley, ILA 1414
Eric Nyantakyi, Coca-Cola
Jeff O’Connor, First Citizens Bank
Kyle Redner, Gulfstream
Pastor Ricky Temple, Overcoming by Faith
Dr. Mike Toma, Georgia Southern University
Julie Tyre, Memorial Health
Courtney West, West Construction Company
Judge Derek White, Chatham County State Court
Linda Wilder-Bryan, Savannah City Council
Austin Wright, Bardo Hotels
Advisory Boards
Chair | Kathryn Downs, Bryan County Government
Campaign Chair | Chris Benson, City of Pembroke
Jaclyn DeLoach, Advent Therapy
Katie Davis, EOM & Coastal Integrity Marketing
Zachary Dykes, Development Authority of Bryan County
Leslie Harris, EXP Realty
Jenny Miller, Pembroke Advanced Communications
Melissa Roberts, Bryan County Schools Central Office
Luella Sanders, VyStar Credit Union
Raul Secundino, Pembroke Police
Sarah Siciliani, Savannah Laundry
Wendy Sims-Futch, Bryan County Family Connection
Devin Strong, Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church
Jordan Urban, Pilot Flying J
Kacy Vance, State Farm Insurance
Kate Wray, YMCA – Richmond Hill
Chair | LaMeisha R. Hunter, Effingham Health System
Campaign Chair | Abby Smith, LEAP Youth Development Program
Trisha Boyett, Effingham County IDA
Regina Clontz, City of Springfield
Vanessa Denison, Effingham County Board of Education
Matt Huntley, Effingham County Board of Education
Derrick Kessler, Georgia-Pacific Savannah River Mill
Sarah Mausolf, Effingham County Board of Commissioners
Chad Pace, Georgia Power – Plant McIntosh
Sonja Scott, Launch.Me Consultants
Brian Van Ness, GOL Security, LLC
Chance Ward, Goshen United Methodist Church
Ryan Waters, Edward Jones
Chair | Danny Creasy, Ameris Bank
Kamaria Boston, Play Datez Child Development Center
Theresa Falker, SNF Holdings
David Floyd, Liberty Family Connections
Brooke Gardner, Community Member
Taylor Gaskin, Community Member
Damien Graham, Community Member
Chrisie Hill, Thomas Hill Jewelers
Tracey Howard, Hinesville Police Chief
Teddra Jakes, Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority
Verdell Jones, Chairperson Liberty Board of Education
Vickie Nelson, Hinesville Mayor Pro Tem
Stephanie Osteen, Community Member
Jeffrey Porter, Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Brooke Smith, Liberty County Board of Education
Mayor Chris Stacy, Mayor City of Riceboro
Lisa Thomas, President of Liberty NAACP
Patrick Underwood, City of Walthourville Councilperson
Clemontine Washington, Mayor Pro Tem City of Midway