Greg Marcus, 2016-17 United Way board chair, passes the gavel to Cory Nettles, United Way’s board chair for 2018-19 at United Way’s Annual Meeting on February 28.
March 13, 2018
Written by Katie Kuhn, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
Cory Nettles, founder and managing director at Generation Growth Capital, Inc., was recently named chairman of the board for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and will serve a two-year term. Cory, who has been involved with United Way for his entire professional life, took a moment to share his passion with us:
Why do you love United Way?
The scope and scale of what United Way does is greater than any one organization can accomplish on its own. When you look at the challenges that exist in our community, we have to find an organization that can perform at scale and approach change in a sustained way. We have one of the best United Ways in the country. We can do it, together.
You are the first person of color to be chairman of the board for this United Way. What does that mean to you?
I am aware the extent to which the community is watching Amy and me as the first people of color to lead this organization. I can’t overstate the benefit to little boys and girls in this community who see people like them in leadership positions, nor the benefit to those working hard for this community to see others like them who have broken through that glass ceiling.
At the end of the day, however, Amy and I should be held accountable for the impact we make. As great as it is to have diversity, if we don’t serve this community better, it doesn’t matter that we are diverse.
What is your vision for your term as board chair?
United Way is already in a position of strength and stability, and we are up to the challenges that exist in this community. It is up to me, and up to all of us, to work a little harder, push a little more, to roll up our sleeves and get better results. I am proud of the organization United Way is today, and I’m committed to leaving it a better organization than the one I inherited.
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