About us

United Way of Southwest MichiganUnited Way of Southwest Michigan is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people’s lives. Building on more than a century of service as the nation’s preeminent community-based fundraiser, United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results.

United Way of Southwest Michigan is fully accredited by United Way of America, passing annual requirements. The certification mandates completion of 13 requirements for United Way of America membership along with verification of the status of 40 indicators that demonstrate United Way embodies the intent of the membership requirements.


Staff

Anna Murphy
President & CEO

Sharon Polfus
Development Director

Shirley Washington
Finance and Operations Director

Joann Schma
Community Impact Director

Bill Downey
Director of Annual Giving 

Rachel Arent
Account Coordinator

Retta Curneal
Account Coordinator

Olivia Megna
Community Impact Coordinator

Juli Pierce
Database Coordinator

Latrice Price
Finance Associate

Loree Hocker
Administrative Associate

Teri Kirchoff
Information and Referral

Board of Directors

David Bly Jr.
Horizon Bank
Vice President

Hal Davis
Dowagiac Union Schools
Asst. Superintendent

Pamela DenHaan
Plante & Moran PLLC
Associate

Todd Gustafson
Michigan Works Inc.
Executive Director

Chris Hardy
Plante & Moran PLLC
Associate

John Hodgson
City of St. Joseph
Asst. City Manager

Lynn Kellogg
Area Agency on Aging
Executive Director

Randy Reimers
Fifth Third Bank
Regional Vice President

Michael Ruelle
Express-1
Driver Relations Manager

Bill Schalk
American Electric Power Nuclear Generation
Communications Manager

Jim Schlaman
Lakeland Regional Health System
Executive Director, Rehabilitation & Long Term Care

Dr. Carole Schmidt
Benton Harbor Area Schools
Superintendent

Kate Seaman
Treasury Management Specialist, Chemical Bank

Leonard Seawood
Western Michigan University Exten.
Regional Director

Mary Jo Tomasini
Competitive Edge
Owner

Jon Wallace
Carter-Wallace Inc.
Owner

Tom Welke
Whirlpool Corporation
VP & General Manager of Supply & Demand North America Region

Steven Winkler
Whirlpool Corporation
Director, Brand Portfolio, Leadership Development Program