United Way vice president helps nonprofit strategize for the future
PRESS RELEASE
May 24, 2006
Media Contact(s):
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321
DETROIT – Troy resident Dona Syes Ponepinto, vice president, Resource Investment and Community Partnerships for United Way for Southeastern Michigan, knows how to listen. That’s an important part of her job. Among the many areas she is responsible for, Ponepinto is currently directing the organization through a three-phase process to identify and prioritize what residents feel are the region’s most pressing issues.
Since joining United Way for Southeastern Michigan earlier this year, Ponepinto has worked to conduct focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and a community-wide survey engaging thousands of people in southeast Michigan to identify the concerns most important to them. This ongoing process will result in a comprehensive community investment plan that will direct United Way’s work in the future.
Ponepinto is responsible for United Way’s community investment strategies that will provide measurable and lasting benefits to the metro Detroit community. She oversees the accountability of United Way’s investment of financial resources to assure good stewardship of contributions to benefit programs and services throughout the tri-county area. She serves as the primary liaison to United Way partner agencies and other human service providers, public and private partners to ensure leverage of community relationships and assets. She also oversees United Way’s research area, and division offices in Detroit, as well as Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Ponepinto has worked in the United Way system for 18 years. She comes to Detroit from California where she served as senior vice president, Community Investments, at Orange County’s United Way. In this role, she was responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s Community Agenda, which focused on economic empowerment. She also managed fund distribution and lead staff in redesigning the process from focusing on funding agencies in the traditional manner, to funding issues. Prior to Orange County’s United Way, she worked as a community development manager, focusing on youth development, at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
Ponepinto received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in counseling from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. She has been involved in many civic activities including the Junior League of Long Beach and the National Conference for Community and Justice.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.
May 24, 2006
Media Contact(s):
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321
DETROIT – Troy resident Dona Syes Ponepinto, vice president, Resource Investment and Community Partnerships for United Way for Southeastern Michigan, knows how to listen. That’s an important part of her job. Among the many areas she is responsible for, Ponepinto is currently directing the organization through a three-phase process to identify and prioritize what residents feel are the region’s most pressing issues.Since joining United Way for Southeastern Michigan earlier this year, Ponepinto has worked to conduct focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and a community-wide survey engaging thousands of people in southeast Michigan to identify the concerns most important to them. This ongoing process will result in a comprehensive community investment plan that will direct United Way’s work in the future.
Ponepinto is responsible for United Way’s community investment strategies that will provide measurable and lasting benefits to the metro Detroit community. She oversees the accountability of United Way’s investment of financial resources to assure good stewardship of contributions to benefit programs and services throughout the tri-county area. She serves as the primary liaison to United Way partner agencies and other human service providers, public and private partners to ensure leverage of community relationships and assets. She also oversees United Way’s research area, and division offices in Detroit, as well as Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
“Dona is a tremendous asset to the United Way team,” said Michael J. Brennan, president & CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Her long service to the United Way system and her understanding of strategic community development is a great benefit to us as we strive to best serve the residents of this region.”
Ponepinto has worked in the United Way system for 18 years. She comes to Detroit from California where she served as senior vice president, Community Investments, at Orange County’s United Way. In this role, she was responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s Community Agenda, which focused on economic empowerment. She also managed fund distribution and lead staff in redesigning the process from focusing on funding agencies in the traditional manner, to funding issues. Prior to Orange County’s United Way, she worked as a community development manager, focusing on youth development, at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
“This is an exciting time for United Way and this region,” said Ponepinto. “The transition the organization is currently undergoing will result in a stronger focused strategy and an action plan to best serve residents. This will lead to lasting improvements that will positively impact our region for years to come.”
Ponepinto received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in counseling from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. She has been involved in many civic activities including the Junior League of Long Beach and the National Conference for Community and Justice.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.
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