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, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Board Chair | Cecilia Russo Turner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
Board Vice Chair | Cindy Robinett, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard
Immediate Past Chair | Michael Kaigler, Chatham County government
Campaign Chair | Ryan Chandler, Colonial Group, Inc.
Campaign Vice Chair | Cecilia Tran Arango, Thomas & Hutton
Treasurer | Mark Sprosty, Savannah Economic Development Authority
Secretary | Dr. Yancy Ford, Effingham County School District
Community Investments Chair | Taffanye Young, City of Savannah
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 | Kathryn Downs, Bryan County government
At-Large | Paul Mosely, International Longshoremen’s Association 1414
At-Large | Jay Wilson, International Paper
Appointed Liaisons:
Agency Executive Council | Crystal Auguste, Elevate Savannah
Young Leaders | Caitlin Burwinkel, Thomas & Hutton
Bryan County | Chris Benson, City of Pembroke
Effingham County | Abby Smith, Heritage Counseling
Liberty and Long counties | Damien Graham, SNF Holding Company
Additional Members:
Kathleen Anderson, Marketing Consultant
David Burkoff, HunterMaclean
Judge Lisa Colbert, Chatham County Superior Court
Linda Cramer, Chatham County government
Stephanie Cutter, Chatham Area Transit Authority
Jennifer Davenport, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce & Visit Savannah
Greg Finch, Bouhan Falligant
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
Sarah Jones, Truist
Bill Kelso, Goodwill of Southeast Georgia
Bob Klausmeier, Rise and Flow
Heath Lloyd, City of Pooler
Quentin Marlin, Ellis Painter Attorneys at Law
Jamie McCurry, Georgia Ports Authority
William Mock, Georgia Power
Kyle Redner, Gulfstream Aerospace
Joseph Tallent, Effingham Health System
Dr. Mike Toma, Georgia Southern University
Julie Tyre, Memorial Health
Steve Walker, Savannah Coca-Cola Bottling Company United
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 | Chris Benson, City of Pembroke
Campaign Chair | Kacy Vance, State Farm Insurance
Bryan Cook, Ameris Bank
Katie Davis, EOM
Kathryn Downs, Bryan County
Zachary Dykes, Development Authority of Bryan County
Jenny Miller, PAC Fiber
Tyler Moody, Publix- RH
Melissa Roberts, Bryan County Schools
Luella Sanders, VyStar Credit
Raul Secundino, Pembroke Police Department
Lagreeta Sherman, Coastal GA Area Community Action Authority
Sarah Siciliani, Savannah Laundry
Wendy Sims-Futch, Bryan County Family Connection
Lynnetta Smith, Combat Boots 2 the Board Room
Chair | Abby Smith, Heritage Counseling
Campaign Chair | Trisha Boyett, Edward Jones
Regina Clontz, Effingham YMCA
Vanessa Denison, Effingham County Board of Education
Ryan Waters, Edward Jones
Chance Ward, Goshen United Methodist Church
Toni Hardigree, Platinum Properties
Matt Huntley, Effingham County Board of Education
Derrick Kessler, Georgia Pacific
Jeannie Lane, Queensborough Bank
Sarah Mausolf, Effingham County Board of Commissioners
Chad Pace, Georgia Power
Moses Toole, Centerpoint Church
Shanna Smith, Effingham Emergency Management Agency
Brian VanNess, GOL Security, Inc.
Chair | Danny Creasy, Ameris Bank
Kamaria Boston, Play Datez Child Development Center
Wregina Caryl, Literacy Coach Long County Schools
Theresa Falker, SNF Holdings
David Floyd, Liberty Family Connections
Taylor Gaskin, Community Member
Damien Graham, Community Member
Chrisie Hill, Thomas Hill Jewelers
Tracey Howard, Hinesville Police Chief
Verdell Jones, Chairperson Liberty Board of Education
Vickie Nelson, Hinesville Mayor Pro Tem
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