Volunteers for Trident United Way are thought leaders on the board of directors or serve on committees and councils as decision-makers about community investments and strategies. Committee and council volunteers are selected through a Nominating Committee process. Thank you to every individual committee and council member for dedicating your time and talent to help guide Trident United Way's efforts to improve education, financial stability and health outcomes in the Tri-County area.
If you are interested in volunteering on a committee, council or board, please complete this form or email volunteer@tuw.org.
Boards and Committees
The Trident United Way Board of Directors (the Board) is solely responsible for determining the organization’s policy, approving the annual budget and determining the goals of the organization. It is legally and morally responsible for all activities of the organization.
Board members act as ambassadors for the organization, exercise strategic thinking and planning over the course of their term and become familiar with nonprofit oversight and governance principles.
Board Chair
Melanie Stith, Culture Wins/The McNair Group
Immediate Past Chair
Barbara Melvin, South Carolina Ports Authority
Chair-Elect, Marketing & Communications Chair
Peter LaMotte, Chernoff Newman
Audit Chair
Christopher Glenn, Cape Fear Valley Health System
Resource Development Council Chair
Michael Samuel, SouthState Bank
Finance Chair
B. Shawan Gillians, J.D., Santee Cooper
HR & Governance Chair
Cathy Almquist, Community Volunteer
Investment Chair
Brenda Szymanowski, AstenJohnson
Board Members
- Rita Berry, Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce
- P.J. Browning, Evening Post Publishing
- Eric Craine, First Citizens Bank
- Brad Davis, Community Volunteer
- Joseph Deleon, Roper St. Francis Healthcare
- B. Keith Faulkner, JD, LLM, MBA, Charleston Southern University
- Bob Fei, Life Cycle Engineering
- Travis Frank, South Carolina Ports Authority
- CJ Gathers, Big Borthers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry
- David Ginn, Charelston Regional Development Alliance
- Mollie Gore, Santee Cooper
- Greg Habib, City of Goose Creek
- Courtney Howard, Ph.D., College of Charleston
- Scott Howell, Ground Swell Capital
- Deon Jackson, Community Volunteer
- Todd Lant, Blackbaud
- Mark Lattanzio, Truist Bank
- Katie McCravy, SC Women in Leadership
- Lauren Nilan, Elliott Davis LLC
- Rev. Marion Platt, Star Gospel
- Casandra Price, AstenJohnson
- Marcela Rabens, Universal Latin News & Charleston Latin Guide
- Geona Shaw Johnson, City of Charleston
- Jerome Smalls, Charleston Police Department
- Jimmy Staton, Santee Cooper
- Jeremy Willits, Harbor Commercial Partners
- Jon Witherow, Nucor Company
- Bill Zobel, Banks Construction
The primary purpose of the audit committee is to provide oversight of the audit process.
Members
- Christopher Glenn, Chair
- B. Shawan Gillians
The Community Impact Committee (CIC) provides strategic direction to the organization for all matters relating to community impact and investment, including, but not limited to, Trident United Way initiatives and strategic investment, partner investments, policy, strategic planning, CI Networks, product development and partner relationships, as well as Investment Review Teams responsibilities/operations.
Members
- Don Smith, Chair
- Deb Campeau
- Christina Elmore
- Anne Forrest
- Germone Gadsden
- Courtney Howard
- Kayra Husser
- Erin LaBrake
- Parker Lee
- Renee Linyard-Gary
- Amy Maciariello
- Corey McClary
- Dan Mooney
- Nilsy Rapalo
- Chad Starbuck
- LaQuinta West
The role of the finance committee is primarily to provide financial oversight for the organization.
Members
- B. Shawan Gillians, Chair
- Preston Bankson
- Tyson Hoff
- Frank Kellert
- Cassandra Price
- Roy Rathbun
- Michael Samuel
- Covington Sharp
The Governance & HR Committee assists the Board of Directors in driving organizational performance; ensuring that the human resources strategies and practices support Trident United Way’s mission, vision, values and strategic direction; promoting a fair, equitable and supportive working environment for its employees and volunteers; and ensuring good governance practices are in place and aligned with Trident United Way’s mission.
Members
- Cathy Almquist, Chair
- Brian Faulkner
- Mark Lattanzio
- Rev. Marion Platt
- Jimmy Stanton
The role of the investment committee is to oversee the long term investments of Trident United Way.
Members
- Brenda Szymanowski, Chair
- David Lobeck
The purpose of the Marketing Advisory Cabinet (MAC) is to support Trident United Way Marketing and Communications leadership and team by actively championing the strategies and efforts to further the mission of the organization.
Members
- Peter LaMotte, Chair
- Brooks Hearn, Co-chair
- Matt Brady
- Kelsi Brewer
- Darren Callihan
- John Cassibry
- Nik Cokins
- Kenya Dunn
- Erika LeGendre
- Nina Magnesson
- Elaine Reed
- Elizabeth Rogers Prim
The Planned Giving Cabinet helps guide the strategy of and attainment of Trident United Way’s endowment fund. Attainment of this goal makes it possible for Trident United Way to fulfill its mission.
Members
- Ken Smith, Chair
- Bob Fei
- Bruce Hoffman
- Wendy Kopp
The Resource Development Council (RDC) is a connected, collaborative group of community champions who contribute their leadership to expanding Trident United Way’s reach, increasing donor engagement and supporting our sharpened focus on financial stability and direct programs.
Members
- Michael Samuel, Chair
- Chrystal Chandler
- Victor Cruz
- Giff Daughtridge
- Tahnee German
- Sonia Hanson
- Wendy Kopp
- Michael Lisle, Jr.
- Dan Mooney
- Kyle Rains
- Drew Schiavone
- Ken Smith
- Michael Tecosky
- Tyson Wenger
- Jeremy Willits