United Way hires new CEO

After two months of interviews, United Way of the Laurel Highlands officials hired Karen Struble Myers to succeed Bill McKinney as the nonprofit’s president and CEO.

She will assume the role on Monday. McKinney retired at the end of 2019.

“I am honored to be selected to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of the Laurel Highlands,” Myers said in a press release. “The organization has made thoughtful investments in the communities it serves, and I look forward to continuing this rich history of mobilizing the caring power of community to serve our neighbors and create social change for the betterment of the region.”

Myers leaves behind the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College, where she worked since 2011 as director of development and communications and associate director. She oversaw fundraising, communications, strategic planning, project implementation, budgeting and grant writing.

She attended Penn State University for advertising and public relations and Carlow University for professional leadership, training and development.

United Way board Chairwoman Pamela Tokar-Ickes said Myers’ broad experience with nonprofits makes her well prepared to lead the United Way.

“The Board of Directors looks forward to introducing Karen to the communities we serve and our many strategic partners as we prepare to enter the next decade of our growth,” Tokar-Ickes said in a press release.

As the United Way’s new CEO, Myers will support the nonprofit’s initiatives, which include early childhood education, parental engagement and youth drug and alcohol prevention. The organization funds 27 partner agencies in Cambria and Somerset counties.

“Myers will be responsible for effective planning, organizing, development, and execution of the UWLH’s strategic and operational plans and objectives as formulated by the Board of Directors,” the press release states.