Davis leaving United Way for job with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Over lunch last school year, Coleen Davis and Carrie, then a first grader at Saratoga School, spent time getting to know each other. The two were teamed as “buddies” as part of the Lunch Buddies program offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties to provide mentoring during school hours to students who can benefit from it. Davis announced this week she is leaving the United Way of Grundy County to take a position with Big Brothers. (Herald file photo)

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United Way of Grundy County has, with regrets, accepted the resignation of Executive Director Coleen Davis. “Coleen has done a good job for us for the past three years,” Chris Brown, vice president of the United Way board of directors, said Friday. “She was provided an opportunity and had to take it.” Davis has accepted a job with partner agency Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. She will begin in her new role on Tuesday, Sept. 2. “Children are always close to my heart,” said Davis. “This is a natural move to an organization that provides mentoring to children.” Chief Executive Officer Lisa Morel Las explained Big Brothers Big Sisters had an opening for chief development officer. “We felt we needed to fill the position as soon as possible,” Las said. “We were looking for someone with enthusiasm, energy and expertise, and all that pointed to Coleen.” Las also noted it is important for the organization to have Grundy County representation on both the board and staff, and felt giving a major administrative position to a Grundy County resident with Grundy County ties stressed that importance. “Lisa is a good individual who has taken Big Brothers Big Sisters far,” Brown said, “and I'm sure Lisa is looking to be more active in Grundy County with the hiring of Coleen.” Davis will be using her expertise in fundraising to help Big Brothers Big Sisters meet its goals. “Her job will focus on raising money,” Las said. “The more money raised, the more children we can serve.” Each of the three years Davis was at the helm of United Way, the organization met its fundraising goal. During its annual kick off dinner earlier this month, the United Way announced its largest goal to date - $405,000. Davis said she has had a wonderful experience the past three years at United Way, adding it is because of this experience she feels she is ready for the move. “Both organizations have excellent boards,” Davis said. “I want to thank my board at United Way for helping me grow into the place where I am ready for this position at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Without their undying support and leadership, I wouldn't be ready.” Brown said this is not only an opportunity for Davis to grow in her professional life, but also a chance for United Way to grow as its searches for a new executive director. That search, he said, will begin immediately. “While it will be a challenge for our UW organization during this transition, we know that with dedicated volunteers, donors, organizations like yours and the directors on our board - we too will endure the conversion,” UW board chairman Michael P. Carey noted in a letter sent to stakeholders this week. “I will do everything I can to make this a smooth transition,” Davis said. “I'll be making myself available whenever they have a replacement.”