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Deborah W. Foster is Executive Vice President for Strategic Alliances and Inclusion in the Office of the President at United Way of America (UWA). In this role Debbie is responsible for leading relationships with key stakeholders and critical partners, including United Way’s National Professional Council (NPC), organized labor and national non-profit organizations. Debbie’s work extends globally where she has served as a trainer with United Way International for United Way affiliates in West and South Africa. The Diversity team at UWA is under her direction to advance the United Way system’s commitment to inclusiveness.
Debbie has held various positions within UWA, including Executive Vice President, Field Leadership and leading teams responsible, training, conferences, career development, executive search, public policy, national community initiatives, a $25 million membership campaign and the $100 million Emergency Food and Shelter Program funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She has also served on the National Corporate Leadership and Fundraising teams.
While serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Pennsylvania for six years, she initiated several first-ever programs at the state level, including major giving, Success by 6, an early childhood initiative and market research on donor attitudes towards United Way. Debbie also served as Group Vice President for the United Way of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville where her work on an AIDS project and a program to increase minority representation on nonprofit boards has been nationally recognized.
Her United Way career began with the United Way of the National Capital Area in Washington, DC in 1977. In 2002, she returned for a special assignment as interim Chief Operating Officer where she helped the organization through media and operational challenges.
Debbie earned a dual degree (BS) in Early Childhood Education and Human Development from Syracuse University and a M.S.W. for Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. | 