{"id":4506,"date":"2024-03-14T19:00:48","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T00:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liveunitedbr.org\/?p=4506"},"modified":"2024-03-14T19:13:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T00:13:04","slug":"united-way-blackhawk-region-leader-steps-down-after-a-decade-of-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liveunitedbr.org\/united-way-blackhawk-region-leader-steps-down-after-a-decade-of-service\/","title":{"rendered":"United Way Blackhawk Region Leader Steps Down After a Decade of Service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
(BLACKHAWK REGION) \u2013 After a decade of leadership as United Way Blackhawk Region\u2019s (UWBR) President & CEO, Mary Fanning-Penny has resigned and accepted a position to become Vice President of Communications for Summit Credit Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fanning-Penny submitted her resignation to UWBR\u2019s Executive Committee in confidentiality earlier this month to preserve the organization\u2019s focus on its March 13 LIVE UNITED Celebration and the event\u2019s positive recognition for award honorees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fanning-Penny succeeded Steve Kinkade after his retirement in July 2014. Prior to her executive role, Fanning-Penny volunteered on the former United Way of North Rock County Board of Directors and as part of the unification committee that resulted in the formation of United Way Blackhawk Region in 2012. Fanning-Penny\u2019s service on United Way\u2019s board(s) spanned from 2008 to 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Fanning-Penny began her tenure in July 2014, UWBR has invested more than 17.3 million dollars in community grants and initiatives to advance health, education, and financial stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President & CEO, Mary established a compelling vision to align our board and team on ambitious goals,\u201d said United Way Blackhawk Region Board Chair Dan Williams. \u201cAs a result of Mary\u2019s leadership, United Way cultivated new donors and corporate partnerships, amplified our brand, hosted flawless special events, and orchestrated a transformation to the Community Impact model.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to its annual community campaign, Day of Caring, and grant stewardship, other notable United Way accomplishments during Fanning-Penny\u2019s tenure include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt has been an honor and privilege to lead United Way,\u201d Fanning-Penny said. \u201cI\u2019m deeply proud of our collective success made possible by an incredibly talented team, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and amazing community partners. I will cherish the relationships I\u2019ve built across our beautiful Blackhawk Region and will remain a champion of United Way\u2019s mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fanning-Penny\u2019s leadership also extended to service on the board of directors for Forward Janesville, Inc., Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Wisconsin. She received the Greater Beloit and Stateline Chambers\u2019 \u201cExecutive Influencer Award\u201d in 2019 and the YWCA Rock County\u2019s \u201cWoman of Distinction Award\u201d in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UWBR is moving forward with expediency on its transition plan. UWBR\u2019s Board of Directors appointed Vice President Denise Peters-Kauihou as Acting President & CEO. Additionally, UWBR appointed a search committee, co-chaired by Tom McCawley and Patty Schumacher for the organization\u2019s next leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile Denise has elected not to pursue the executive role permanently, we appreciate her loyalty to United Way\u2019s mission and applaud her willingness to step in,\u201d McCawley said. \u201cDenise\u2019s 13 years of service will ensure continuity of operations and stability for the team, trusted leadership for our community, and a seamless transition.\u201d Williams concluded by stating, \u201cUnited Way and our community have benefited from Mary\u2019s passion and dynamic leadership. On behalf of a grateful board, we wish her all the best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom McCawley is Vice Chair of United Way Blackhawk Region\u2019s Board of Directors and a Vice President for Beloit Health System. McCawley serves on the organization\u2019s Executive Committee and was recently presented with United Way\u2019s \u201cGeraldine Hedberg Volunteer of the Year Award.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patty Schumacher also serves on United Way\u2019s Board of Directors and is Chair of the Community Impact Council, a volunteer-driven committee that monitors accountability and measurable outcomes from funded partners. Schumacher retired from BMO in 2021 after 42 years in the financial sector.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After a decade of leadership as United Way Blackhawk Region\u2019s (UWBR) President & CEO, Mary Fanning-Penny has resigned and accepted a new position. Denise Peters-Kauihou has been appointed Acting President & CEO.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/strong>Fanning-Penny\u2019s last official day in the office will be March 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbout Search Committee Co-Chairs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n