Melissa Clements, who has been the face of the United Way of Henderson County for nine years, is leaving the organization to take a job with the Deaconess Foundation.
Clements, the current UW executive director, will start her new job on Aug. 1.
In the meantime, the United Way of Henderson County will hold a going away celebration for Clements from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at its office at 428 Second St.
Clements didn’t say much about her new role with the Deaconess Foundation, referring that information requests to public relations specialists at Deaconess. An email from that department said that more information will be forthcoming as Clements’ start date gets closer.
“I’m sad (to be leaving United Way),” Clements said. “But this is a job that I couldn’t pass up.”
Charissa O’Daniel, the United Way board chair, said the board has implemented a 30-60-90 day phased transition plan for replacing Clements. She said the plan is still in the first 30-day phase in which board members are out in the community listening to stakeholders.
She said a plan on precisely how or when Clements will be replaced—including if an interim is named—has not yet been decided but will come soon.
She said UW will continue with its mission during the transition process. Kelsi Dunham, UW community impact manager, and Rhonda Thompson, UW office manager, will continue in their roles.
The UW annual giving campaign recently completed, said O’Daniel, raising more than $421,000 this year, an 11% increase over last year.