Media Center
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/2/2008 |
Contact: Alison Keeling 302-573-3731 akeeling@uwde.org |
UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE ELECTS FOUR NEW DIRECTORS, HONORS FIVE DEPARTING DIRECTORS
The following directors began their first three-year term on July 1, 2008:
Dr. Michelle R. Brown is founder and President of Catalyst Enterprises International, a company specializing in resource management, organizational and personal development. Based in Delaware, she conducts seminars and development programs for corporations, nonprofit organizations, churches, government agencies, colleges and schools. She has a long history of giving back to the community. In 2000, Dr. Brown launched World Changers Empowerment Center (WCEC), an international nonprofit organization committed to teaching young women practical leadership skills with an emphasis on moral values. Dr. Brown is also one of the founding members of the Delaware Youth Leadership Academy (DYLA), a community organization committed to developing youth in the areas of goal setting, citizenship, communication and community service. She also serves as a unit board member for the Greater Dover Boys & Girls Club.
Tabatha L. Castro is President and Managing Attorney of the Law Offices of Tabatha L. Castro, P.A., a minority-owned business that offers legal services and expertise in the areas of real estate law, business law, family law, personal injury, workers’ compensation and wills. She is licensed to practice law in Delaware and New Jersey. She acts as Guardian ad Litem for the Office of the Child Advocate, serving minority clients in Family Court proceedings. She also represents the interests of indigent parents through a contract position with Kent County Family Court. Ms. Castro is an officer or board member of several groups, including the Delaware Hispanic Bar Association, the Latin American Community Center, the Hispanic Forum of Delaware and the Hispanic Business Association.
Dr. Jack P. Varsalona is President of Wilmington University. He assumed that post in 2005, after having served as Executive Vice President and Provost of the university since 1987. He has more than 30 years of experience as one of Delaware’s educational leaders, having worked in both the public and private sectors in a variety of high profile, administrative positions. Prior to joining Wilmington University in 1987, he had a variety of roles, including the Education Advisor to Governor du Pont; Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent of Schools in Delaware; Chair of the Federal Liaison Representatives of the National Association of State Boards of Education; Director of Development at the University of Delaware; Principal of Ursuline Academy in Wilmington; and Assistant Principal, Counselor, Community Relations Director and teacher in the Appoquinimink School District.
Dr. Varsalona has served on several community boards and committees such as the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, the Lions Club, the Wilmington Rotary Club, the Blood Bank of Delaware, the Delaware Council of Economic Education, and Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware County. He is a member of numerous professional associations, some of which include MENSA, the National and Delaware Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, and the State of Delaware Education Consortium.
Lloyd Wirshba is Chief Executive Officer of Barclaycard US. Previously, he was Executive Vice President - Chief Marketing and Administrative Officer for ICT Group, Inc., a global customer management and business process solutions company. At ICT, he was responsible for the strategic development and execution of growth and diversification initiatives and ran the business development and sales, information technologies, human resources, training, quality and compliance, and strategic planning and marketing functions. Before he joined ICT Group, he spent 21 years at American Express in areas including finance, operations and marketing/sales and business development, both on the card and merchant sides of the business. He also spent two years at Time Warner’s AOL subsidiary and was responsible for managing the organization of more than 12,000 customer care consultants across the globe.
“United Way of Delaware leadership and staff look forward to becoming acquainted with the new board members,” said Michelle Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Delaware. “With their leadership and range of expertise, we will continue to address the critical needs of Delawareans.”
At the 2008 Annual Meeting, the following departing directors were honored for their service:
• Cari DeSantis
Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and
Communications
Casey Family Programs
• Dr. Edward W. Goaté
Community Leader
• Cynthia Primo Martin
President
PriMar/Primo Lecture Series
• Thomas S. Shaw
Community Leader
• Michael T. Wagner
Director, Global Transaction Services
Citigroup
“These board members have provided a great service to United Way of Delaware and to the community,” said Michelle Taylor. “Their expertise, leadership, and compassion helped guide our efforts to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. On behalf of everyone here at United Way of Delaware, we thank them for their tireless service.”
About United Way of Delaware’s Board of Directors
Board members, composed of volunteers from across the state, help United Way of Delaware raise awareness and funding for the state’s most effective health and human service agencies. As volunteers, they offer counsel to streamline the organization’s functions and minimize operational expenses.
For a full list of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors or for more information on United Way of Delaware, please call (302) 573-3700 or visit www.uwde.org.