United Way of America Leadership Team

Our Leaders

Brian A. Gallagher
President and CEO, United Way of America

Brian Gallagher became President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of America in 2002 and immediately took on the challenge of leading the transformation of the organization to focus on community impact. A career veteran of the United Way system, Gallagher believes that the true measure of success for United Way and other philanthropic organizations is bottom-line results: the lives that are changed and the communities that are shaped. This represents a dynamic shift from the United Way recognized for decades as the nation’s premier fund raiser and distributor. Today, Gallagher has raised the bar on the accountability, governance and transparency standards adopted as a requirement of membership for each of the 1,300 local United Ways across the country.

He began his career with United Way in 1981 as a management trainee, later working in various positions in United Ways around the country including Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Reading, Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island; and Atlanta, Georgia. He most recently served as president of United Way of Central Ohio (UWCO) in Columbus, where he had first-hand experience with community impact, creating a very successful Family Housing Collaborative, which works simultaneously to obtain low cost housing while providing day care and job training so that the cycle of homelessness is broken.

Gallagher was born in Chicago and grew up in Hobart, Indiana. He received his bachelor’s degree in social work from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, in 1981 and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Emory University in Atlanta in 1992. In May 2003 Gallagher received an honorary Doctor of Humanities from his alma mater, Ball State University.

Teresa Hall Bartels
Senior Vice President, International Network Management and Development

Teresa Hall Bartels is the Senior Vice President, International Network Management and Development of United Way. In that capacity, she works with volunteers and professionals from around the world, building community capacity for a better quality of life.

Throughout her career, Bartels has been actively involved in community activities. She is the founding chairman of the governing board for the University Center of Lake County. She was a volunteer member of the Board of Directors for United Way International and served as co-chair of the World Assembly Program Committee in Cape Town, South Africa in May 2002. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Midwestern Regional Medical Center, part of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Teresa has served on numerous government and non-profit boards throughout her career and has been recognized for her community involvement with numerous awards.

Prior to United Way, Bartels owned and operated Hallbart Holdings, L.L.C., specializing in strategic planning consultation, leadership coaching and change management, primarily with not-for-profit organizations. She also co-owned and operated the Manpower franchise in Northeastern Illinois for 31 years. In that role, Bartels focused on strategic planning, sales and marketing, and staff development which grew from $5 million to $50 million in annual revenue; from one to 12 locations; from 10 to over 100 staff members. The franchise employed more than 5,000 people on assignment each year, creating thousands of new jobs. Prior to joining the Manpower business, Bartels was a United Way professional for nearly ten years in various positions in United Ways around the country including United Way of America, United Way of Lake County, and United Way of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Bartels received her B.S. in Public Relations/Journalism (summa cum laude) from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. She received a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Dominican University in January 2005. Bartels is the mother of five grown sons, ages 19 to 37 and grandmother of eight.

Robert Berdelle
Chief Financial Officer

Robert Berdelle is Chief Financial Officer for United Way of America.  Mr. Berdelle reports to the Chief Operating Officer to accomplish the goals, objectives and strategic plans of the organization.  He has responsibility for the financial strategic leadership of United Way of America to ensure sound fiscal management of the organization; advising senior management and Board of Trustees to achieve the goals and objectives of United Way both nationally and globally. 

Prior to joining United Way of America, Berdelle was Chief Operating Officer of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago (UWMC).  Under his leadership UWMC substantially improved its community investment and streamlined its structure.  He led the merger integration of United Way in Chicago with United Way of Suburban Chicago to form the new United Way of Metro Chicago which resulted in a 25% reduction in operating costs.

Mr. Berdelle worked for Commonwealth Edison, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (the leading electricity company in the United States) for 26 years prior to working at UWMC.  Berdelle held several key positions in the company such as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President Tax, Comptroller, Manager of Financial Reporting, Director of Strategic Alliances, and Assistant Treasurer.  While at Commonwealth Edison, Berdelle was responsible for directing performance management process improvements reducing costs by 10%; member of strategy team that created restructuring legislation in the State of Illinois; and initiated several financial improvements.

Mr. Berdelle received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from University of Notre Dame and attended DePaul University Masters of Accounting Program.  He is also a Certified Public Account in Illinois.  Berdelle was also previously a board member with United Way of America, United Way of Illinois, and served on the Audit Committee of United Way in Chicago.

Greg Berzonsky
Vice President and Special Counselor to the President of United Way

Greg Berzonsky is Vice President and Special Counselor to the President for United Way. Greg initiates relationships, proposes recommendations regarding all international invitations, requests, ideas, and opportunities for the President and CEO of United Way.

Greg is also Vice President of United Way International and is charged with overseeing planning, programs and grants at United Way International's 45 affiliated countries and territories. These affiliates raise and allocate funds within their own communities to meet critical local needs. In 2003, United Way International's global affiliates raised a combined total of more than $805,000,000 (USD), allocated for critical needs in their communities. Including the funds raised within the United States of America, United Ways in total worldwide raised and distributed more than $4.7 billion (USD) in 2003 for important causes.

Berzonsky was the founding director of The Freedom Forum's European office, located in Zurich, Switzerland. At The Freedom Forum, a foundation dedicated to promoting freedom of the press and speech, Berzonsky was in charge of all grant making and programs in Western and Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union. He also served as Associate Director of the Obor Foundation, an organization dedicated to making texts on basic medical care, emergency medicine and childcare available in local languages to impoverished populations in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Berzonsky also served as International Account Coordinator at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising at its New York headquarters - servicing clients in more than 100 countries - and as Senior Consultant to the U.S./Russian Information Resources Institute.

Matt DeCamara
Vice President of Global Initiatives

Matthew DeCamara joined United Way in 2007 and serves as Vice President of Global Initiatives with responsibility to drive the organization’s overall strategies and programs to create a worldwide entity, system and movement. Matt leads Board and staff teams toward the fulfillment of United Way’s ambitious efforts to build stronger, healthier and more supportive communities where people have the opportunity to engage, thrive and prepare for a promising future.

Matt’s political, nonprofit and corporate background has centered in three areas: democracy, technology and philanthropy. He previously worked at GE for nearly eight years and served as Program Director at the GE Foundation, the $90 million philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, and led its international investment portfolio with a primary focus on education. He developed and launched multiple initiatives, including School Readiness, School Excellence, Girls Education, and Youth Employability, with an emphasis in Brazil, China, India and Mexico. For three years, he also served as Executive Communications leader for GE’s technology business.

Matt’s professional experience also includes serving the first President Bush and working for an international democracy assistance organization, a Pennsylvania economic development group, and a healthcare technology company. In 1994, he served on the U.S. election observation delegation to Ukraine’s first democratic election.

Matt received his BA from Villanova University and MBA from Boston College. Matt stays active in the community and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and the YMCA. Matt and his wife Judy have three children – Megan, Ryan and Liam – and they reside in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

Deborah W. Foster
Executive Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Inclusiveness

Deborah W. Foster is Executive Vice President for Strategic Alliances and Inclusion in the Office of the President at United Way of America (UWA). In this role Debbie is responsible for leading relationships with key stakeholders and critical partners, including United Way’s National Professional Council (NPC), organized labor and national non-profit organizations. Debbie’s work extends globally where she has served as a trainer with United Way International for United Way affiliates in West and South Africa. The Diversity team at UWA is under her direction to advance the United Way system’s commitment to inclusiveness.

Debbie has held various positions within UWA, including Executive Vice President, Field Leadership and leading teams responsible, training, conferences, career development, executive search, public policy, national community initiatives, a $25 million membership campaign and the $100 million Emergency Food and Shelter Program funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She has also served on the National Corporate Leadership and Fundraising teams.

While serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Pennsylvania for six years, she initiated several first-ever programs at the state level, including major giving, Success by 6, an early childhood initiative and market research on donor attitudes towards United Way. Debbie also served as Group Vice President for the United Way of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville where her work on an AIDS project and a program to increase minority representation on nonprofit boards has been nationally recognized.

Her United Way career began with the United Way of the National Capital Area in Washington, DC in 1977. In 2002, she returned for a special assignment as interim Chief Operating Officer where she helped the organization through media and operational challenges.

Debbie earned a dual degree (BS) in Early Childhood Education and Human Development from Syracuse University and a M.S.W. for Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Joseph V. Haggerty
Chief Operating Officer

Joseph V. Haggerty is Chief Operating Officer for United Way of America. Mr. Haggerty works closely with the President and CEO to accomplish the goals, objectives and strategic plans of the organization. He is charged with motivating and leading a high performance leadership team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure to accommodate the rapid growth objectives of the organization. He also provides direct leadership in the development of new community impact strategies, resource development and public policy initiatives.

Prior to joining United Way of America, Haggerty was President of United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA). Under his leadership UWGLA substantially improved its fund-raising campaign, streamlined its structure, and provided additional funding to the health and human care agencies serving the most critical needs of our communities. Along these lines, the United Way regularly published reports on the issues facing the entire Southern California Community. A report titled “A Tale of Two Cities” has been widely quoted by those studying the poor and “working poor” in California.

Mr. Haggerty is a United Way career professional. Immediately preceding his tenure in Los Angeles, he was President of the Phoenix-based Valley of the Sun United Way. Prior to this position, Mr. Haggerty served as President of the United Ways in St. Joseph, Michigan; Corpus Christi, Texas; and St. Paul, Minnesota. During his 25 years as a United Way CEO, the organizations he headed raised more than three-quarters of a billion dollars.

A New England native, Mr. Haggerty received his Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College and his Master’s Degree in Community Organization and Planning from the University of Connecticut.

Brian J. G. Lachance, Esquire
Chief of Staff

Since 1997, Brian has served as United Way of America’s (UWA’s) Chief of Staff. Among his responsibilities, Brian serves as staff liaison to United Way International managing the organizations’ joint work in creating a more coordinated global enterprise. Brian also works in matters of policy and administration that include management and coordination of all executive activities, President’s Initiatives, communication, oversight of all Board-related activities, including professional support of the Board Chair.

His 20 years of service to United Way has included leadership positions at two local United Ways—Providence, Rhode Island, where he worked in fund-raising and donor relations; and, Tacoma, Washington, where he led the campaign and marketing departments before serving as interim president and chief executive officer.

Brian joined United Way of America in 1993 as Director of Resource Development, working in the areas of: Fund-raising consultation, on-site analysis, Direct Marketing Collaboration, development of UWA's Ethnic Marketing program, Corporate Retirees Direct Marketing Program and the first Campaign Chair’s Roundtable for Metro IC communities. Brian has also provided leadership in research and development of new approaches and strategies for donor interaction, managed the Community Campaign division for the Resource Development group, served as Senior Vice President for Internal Communications. Before coming to the national office, Brian served as a trainer for UWA's National Academy for Voluntarism, was a member UWA's Managers’ Advisory Council, served as Co-chairman of the Marketing Roundtable, and was a member of the National Professional Advisory Council for Resource Development.

Brian resides in Washington, D.C., received his Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center and is a member of the Maryland Bar Association.

Cynthia Round
Executive Vice President--Brand Leadership

As Executive Vice President of Brand Leadership, Cynthia is responsible for brand stewardship, marketing--advertising, public relations, corporate sponsorship--and field communications for the worldwide network. She joined United Way in October 2002 after more than 20 years of building and marketing corporate brands.

Cynthia began her career in brand management at the Procter & Gamble Company, where she held a variety of marketing positions, including a two-year international assignment in Rome, Italy. Cynthia joined Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, where she became Senior Partner and Executive Group Director. During her 15 years with O&M New York, Cynthia helped create, build and renovate domestic and global brands in categories ranging from packaged goods and high tech to fashion and entertainment.

Cynthia has guest-lectured on global branding and advertising at college campuses across the USA, including Dartmouth, Middlebury, Smith, Loyola, Emerson, Hunter, University of Minnesota and Brigham Young University.

Her volunteer work includes the board of the Advertising Educational Foundation, the Advisory Committee of The Ad Council, and God’s Love We Deliver. She is chair of the 2009 American Marketing Association Non-Profit conference in Chicago.

Cynthia grew up in Oklahoma and holds a BA degree from Oklahoma State University, which honored her with its Distinguished Alumni award in 1995. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Chas Carner, and their 14-year old daughter.

Alexander M. Sanchez
Senior Vice President, Community Impact

As Senior Vice President of Community Impact Leadership at United Way of America, Alex has the overall responsibility for directing the work of Community Impact, including developing the knowledge, products and services to accelerate the ability of local United Ways to achieve community level results. Alex is also responsible for establishing and implementing the strategies to bring to scale United Way of America’s national impact agenda, including national coverage of the 2-1-1 human services information line, the Success by 6/Born Learning early childhood education initiative, and the Assets for Family Success economic self-sufficiency program for working families.

Before coming to United Way of America Alex served as the President and CEO of United Neighborhood Centers of America, Inc., (UNCA) the national, non-profit association of settlement houses and community centers. UNCA maintained a dedicated membership of 200 organizations from all across the country representing approximately 800 facilities with combined annual budgets well in excess of one billion dollars. Prior to working with UNCA, Alex served as the Executive Director of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) and its non-profit sister organization, the Hispanic National Bar Foundation (HNBF) in Washington, DC. Alex was selected to serve with the HNBA and HNBF from his position as Executive Director of Esperanza, Inc., Ohio’s Hispanic scholarship and education non-profit organization. Before dedicating his career to non-profit leadership Alex practiced commercial law as an attorney with the law firm of Thompson, Hine, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Alex earned a Bachelors degree from Boston College, a law degree from The University of Michigan, and a Masters Degree in Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Stacey D. Stewart
Executive Vice President for the Center for Community Leadership and Community Impact Leadership

Stacey D. Stewart is Executive Vice President for the Center for Community Leadership and Community Impact Leadership. Ms. Stewart will oversee the development and delivery of a range of products and services fundamental to the global strategy, capacity and operating platform of the United Way network worldwide. Ms. Stewart will have a central hand in shaping the strategy and operating platform to affect this global mission with the potential for direct and leveraged impact across hundreds of communities and touching millions of lives.

Prior to joining United Way of America, Stewart has held the positions of Senior Vice President of Fannie Mae’s Office of Community and Charitable Giving; Chief Diversity Officer; Vice President, Housing and Community Development; and Public Affairs Director at Fannie Mae. Stewart was also President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fannie Mae Foundation. During her tenure at Fannie Mae and the Fannie Mae Foundation, Stewart led a team that designed and implemented Fannie Mae’s philanthropic and business initiatives to advance the company’s business goals, objectives, and mission. She also developed and implemented strategies that fostered a diverse and inclusive workplace and business environment.

Prior to Fannie Mae, Stewart was a Senior Associate with Merrill Lynch and a Vice President with Pryor, McClendon, Counts & Co., Inc.

Stewart has a masters of business administration in finance from the University of Michigan and a bachelor of arts in economics from Georgetown University. She also holds honorary degrees from Trinity University, Morgan State University, Texas Southern University and Alabama A&M University. She currently serves on several boards nationally and in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.

Stewart is married to Jarvis C. Stewart, the Chairman and Managing Partner of Ian Reid, LLC a strategic advisory firm based in Washington, DC. The Stewarts have two children, Madeleine and Savannah.

Atul Tandon
Executive Director, International Network & Executive Vice President of Investor Relations

Atul joined United Way as Executive Director of International Network and Executive Vice President of Investor Relations in May, 2009. He provides executive oversight to United Way’s 45-country International network and leads the administration and advancement of the organization’s fundraising worldwide. In this role, he will be charged with growing the United Way movement globally and rapidly increasing UWW fund-raising capacity and capability.

For the past nine years, Tandon served as Senior Vice President of Donor Engagement for World Vision United States, one of America’s largest charities. He led the organization through a period of unprecedented growth in field impact, donors, and revenues. He also served on the operational leadership team of the international World Vision partnership. Prior to that Tandon had a successful 19-year career in the global financial services industry, primarily with Citigroup. He served on Citibank’s global leadership team and played a key role in expansion of its global branch and consumer market networks.

Recognized nationwide as an expert in fundraising, Tandon was nominated by the Non-Profit Times to a select group of “America’s Most Effective and Influential Fund-Raisers.” He serves on various Boards, including those of Vision Fund International, a 47-country microfinance network, the Christian Leadership Alliance and the Non-Profit Direct Marketing Association. Tandon was one of the leading voices behind the Better Safer World campaign, which later joined with Bono’s DATA organization to birth the ONE campaign in the United States.

Tandon grew up in India. He has seen first hand the impact that good governance, education, economic opportunity and private enterprise have in building abundant lives amongst the poor and is committed to bringing those same benefits to communities around the world. He received an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Delhi, India, and has taught at the University of San Francisco's McLaren School of Business. He lives in Bellevue, Washington with his wife and two children.