United Way Announces New Promotions To Its Leadership Team

July 31, 2008

United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta announced the promotions of Sharen Hausmann to vice president of Early Learning and Charles Walker as vice president of Area Development. In addition, Bentley Marane, CFRE, will take on a new role in the newly created position of executive director of Planned Giving.
 
An expert in early childhood development, Sharen Hausmann, vice president of Early Learning, will serve as a liaison to the United Way Early Learning Commission. In this new position, she will play a key part in developing a regional action plan and continuum of care to help metro Atlanta’s youngest residents grow to their potential. Previously, Hausmann developed programs to foster quality learning environments and childcare provider training as the director of Smart Start, the early childhood division on United Way. Prior to United Way, Hausmann worked as a consultant, lecturer, teacher and trainer, promoting healthy growth and development in young children. She received her master’s degree in Child and Youth Care Administration from Nova Southeastern University.
 
As the vice president of Area Development, Charles Walker will primarily be responsible for managing United Way county office fundraising and community impact operations. The former area director for United Way in Cobb brings more than 14 years of experience in social services to his new position, eight with United Way. While he has held a variety of positions within the social service field, Walker has maintained a professional link to children and youth since interning with an urban community after school program during his senior year at Morehouse College.
 
Walker summed up the dedication to service he and Hausmann share in saying, “I believe leadership is inextricably tied to the number of life-improving opportunities one can provide to others, especially children and youth.”
 
Bentley Marane, CFRE, brings more than 25 years of experience in fundraising for nonprofit social service agencies to her new role as executive director of Planned Giving. She will play a critical role in implementing the Board-approved Endowment and Planned Giving plan, with a goal to endow more than $1 million in the first several years. During more than two years of service as vice president of Major Gifts at United Way, Marane oversaw the growth of leadership societies and affinity groups. Her new role will allow her to focus deeply on engaging major donors and create an entirely new capability for our United Way. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and has taken continuing studies courses in management and fundraising.

“These new positions and promotions are all part of the exciting changes United Way is experiencing,“ said Milton J. Little Jr., president of United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. “It’s great when we can promote from our talent within and provide individuals with new opportunities to grow in service to the Atlanta community.”

About United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
For more than a century, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta has continued to mobilize people in our community to help tackle the issues that are too big for anyone to solve alone. What makes United Way unique is how it helps our community work together to make lasting impact on tough community problems that take all of us to solve. Last year, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta invested more than $100 million
 
in the community through programs and services that make a measurable impact on ending chronic homelessness, ensuring children start school ready to succeed, and other key regional issues. To find or give help, dial 2-1-1 or visit us online at unitedwayatlanta.org.