Growing Local Leaders through an Innovative Staffing Solution

Each year, local businesses and organizations lend or sponsor talented people to work part-time for at least 12 weeks at United Way of Pierce County. These individuals are known as Campaign Executives and they serve as spokespersons and fundraisers, conveying the work, message and vision of United Way.

It’s a model unique to United Way that has been in place for decades. This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of local corporate partners, which enables us to provide the Campaign Executives hands-on intensive training in fundraising, the issues affecting our community and public speaking. Through the Campaign Executive program in each workplace they visit, United Way of Pierce County gains high visibility of our work and our mission.

Special thanks to our generous 2017 corporate partners CHI Franciscan, Columbia Bank, DaVita, Puget Sound Energy and TrueBlue, Inc. that either loaned an employee to this effort or sponsored a position.

This year, we recognize five outstanding individuals that participated in the Campaign Executive program. We are grateful to Marjorie Jackson, Bob Connelly, Lyle Sides, Alonzo Baylor and Tyler Kolbo for their tireless efforts over the past several months.

2017 Campaign Executives, Tyler Kolbo, Marjorie Jackson, Bob Connelly, Lyle Sides and Alonzo Baylor

Campaign executives work in tandem with the resource development team to raise community awareness and increase the public’s commitment to our cause, changing conditions in Pierce County. They strengthen their professional skills, build valuable relationships, enhance their visibility and help raise millions for our work fighting poverty in the community. With the help of our Campaign Executives, we grow and cultivate relationships with businesses and donors throughout Pierce County

Marjorie Jackson

Campaign Executives often teach us, bringing their individual unique skills and life experiences to a fast paced fall campaign push.

Marjorie Jackson, a former high school principal and education program leader, brought her considerable community knowledge and her accomplished public speaking skills. Returning for a second year to United Way, Marjorie also spearheaded the Day of Caring volunteer event in September and our Premier Partner event. Her considerable organizational skills were put to good use.

For an encore career Bob Connelly, a retired educator and past United Way of Pierce County Resource Development Officer, came back for a second time as a Campaign Executive. Bob capitalized on his deep community relationships to open doors and advance every campaign and lead he worked on. 

Bob Connelly

He also shared his talents as a photographer for numerous United Way events including the Tocqueville Society reception and From Poverty to Possibilities summit in November.  For years Bob has been a supporter of United Way and he is a principal member of the United Way House band, the Possible Solutions.

Loaned to us from Davita, Lyle Sides is one of those people who really defies people’s expectations. Growing up in a military family and in Germany she has a fascinating life story.  Lyle will tell you that as a young person, people may be somewhat dismissive of her and her opinions. After working with her, everyone she touched will agree that if you dismiss her, you are making a big mistake.

Alonzo Baylor is one of those people who really can command a room. Hailing from the east coast, Alonzo came to us with a clear goal of becoming more involved and connected with his community and the nonprofit industry in Tacoma.  Alonzo has an incredibly big generous heart and his speaking style and compelling manner helped build stronger relationships across the campaigns he worked.  

Tyler Kolbo worked for years in the automotive industry ultimately as a service manage for auto dealerships in Tacoma. Tyler did some great work for us researching and connecting us to new business leads. His persistence and strategic outlook will help us make inroads into business sectors that we have struggled with in the past. A dedicated father of three rambunctious boys aged 9-14, Tyler is happiest riding a bike with his boys down a trail or playing in the snow.

Tyler Kolbo

“Each of these individuals were integral to our success as we tirelessly lead the fight to remove barriers to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change in our community for children and families,” said Stephen Deal, Vice President, Resource Development, United Way of Pierce County. “The ability to add to our staff in such a unique way is a win-win for everyone, but especially for the individuals, children and families that struggle with poverty in Pierce County. Together we are able to make a lasting difference."

To learn more about the Campaign Executive program, contact Stephen Deal at 253.597.8105, (206) 605-4140 (cell) or StephenD@UWPC.org.