Running a successful nonprofit is not for the faint of heart. It takes strategy, charisma, patience, and a strong will. Managing United Way of Anderson County, one of the 1,200 branches that make up United Way Worldwide, further requires knowledge and love for the community and a passion for its people. Who could possibly fit the bill? Enter Naomi Asher!
Naomi has been a part of our community since 1992, graduating from ORHS in 2001 before leaving to earn her B.S. from Johnson University. She returned in 2005 and quickly discovered pressing needs of the community. Her love of the area and devotion to addressing these needs has finally led her to United Way of Anderson County.
Asher may be new to United Way, but she certainly isn’t new to the world of nonprofits and community service. Over the years she has worked and volunteered her time as a substitute teacher, agency consultant and loaned executive. She is currently a board member of the Oak Ridge Parks and Recreations Department and President of Altrusa; previously, she served on the board of the East Tennessee Commission for Children and Youth and as fundraising chair for Girl Talk. She worked her way up from an administrative temp to Executive Director at CASA, serving for from 2010-2015 managing general operations and volunteer coordination. Her years of community involvement and work with partner agencies have given her an invaluable perspective: “I know the struggles that most of our nonprofits are facing and how UWAC can help to address them.”
Asher has always been passionate about charitable work, and in 2011 she returned to school to earn her MBA in Marketing from King University. She sees her role as one of peer mentorship to the nonprofits in the community, and believes in United Way of Anderson County as a liaison between the agencies and the community. Asher says, “UWAC is the hub of connection between our businesses, our agencies, community members and clients. We bring everyone to the table and keep all parties informed.”
Summer is a busy time at United Way, but Asher is excited about the upcoming events and new community resources. Next month, Oak Ridge will host the 7th Annual Taste of Anderson County, and the 2015-2016 campaign kick-off is just around the corner, chaired by Jim Dodson and Gene Patterson. Asher has also been working on new community training programs as well as technical support and resources for partner agencies.
There are so many opportunities to help and improve our community, and it takes passionate, motivated people to effect change. United Way of Anderson county seeks to make a profound positive impact in this area, and Naomi Asher is just the woman to lead the charge.