By United Way Staff
Vicki Hoehn, vice president of community engagement at Royal Credit Union (RCU), will chair the 2015 campaign of United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, the organization announced recently.
“I’m honored to be campaign chair during such an exciting time for our United Way,” Hoehn said. “The work being done now is a true collaborative effort under comprehensive plans that will bring real and lasting change to our community.”
Hoehn was referring to United Way’s new funding approach, which was designed to improve how the Chippewa Valley deals with three key topics that affect its residents’ quality of life: education, health and financial stability. The new initiatives aim to ensure that disadvantaged children can enter school ready for success, that individuals and families can be more financially stable and that everyone has the best opportunities for health and wellness, according to a United Way press release.
Starting with the current fiscal year on July 1, United Way will be investing 75% of its budget in organizations working collaboratively in those three interrelated areas. Hoehn said that United Way will aim to raise $2.1 million in 2015, a $500,000 increase over its budget for the last fiscal year.
“We invite everyone to be part of this change and help us reach our goal so we can make the Chippewa Valley stronger,” Hoehn said.
She officially began her one-year term as campaign chair on July 1. Hoehn has been a United Way supporter or volunteer for 32 years.
Five new members were elected to terms on United Way’s board of directors, starting in July of this year:
- Dale Peters, Eau Claire’s assistant city manager, will serve as United Way’s chair-elect. Peters, a 25-year employee, is also the city’s director of human resources, risk management, purchasing and information services.
- Darrin Senn, owner of Senn Blacktop, will serve as United Way’s vice campaign chair. Senn is on the board of directors of Northwestern Bank and president of DGS Development, an 80-acres business park that currently houses 10 businesses.
- Jen Rombalski, director of the Chippewa County Department of Public Health, will serve as community impact co-chair. She has a nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, is finishing a master’s degree in Public Health Administration and Policy at the University of Minnesota, and has more than 11 years of experience in the public health field.
- Mary Jacobson, who founded the McDonnell Area Catholic Schools Student Ambassadors 11 years ago, will serve on United Way’s advocacy committee. She continues to coordinate the service organization, which connects some 100 students to the community and its needs and provide more than1,200 hours of service each year.
- Andrew Martin will chair United Way’s Emerging Leaders Society Advisory Council chair. Martin is leasing agent for Goldridge Capital Management and an active participant in a number of area organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement and the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council.