Ashley Bender
The United Way Manitowoc County board has announced that the organization’s associate director, Ashley Bender, will succeed Tania Spofford as executive director.
Earlier this year, Spofford informed the board that she would be resigning from her position to focus on teaching, consulting and spending more time with her family. Spofford will serve as advisor the next few weeks to provide a smooth transition.
“I am grateful for the valuable experience and relationships I have gained while working here,” Spofford said. “The staff we have is outstanding. Together we have strengthened our internal capacity to better serve Manitowoc County and effectively improve community conditions. They are a cohesive, talented team dedicated to the work they do, and I am confident in their ability to pursue our vision and in Ashley taking the lead.”
Bender grew up in Two Rivers and currently resides in Manitowoc. She has over nine years of nonprofit experience that includes volunteer management, event coordination, program management and strategic planning. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Silver Lake College and is working toward a certificate in volunteer administration (CVA). She is a graduate of the Chamber’s 2017-18 Leadership Manitowoc County program and is a participant in CLA’s (formerly Schenck SC) LEAD HR Council for Not-for-Profits. Previous employment includes Lakeshore Community Action, Inc. and Felician Village. Additional professional contributions include the strategic planning team for the Manitowoc Public Library and grant review panel member for both the Colorado Community Response Office of Early Childhood and the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. She has nearly five years of service with United Way Manitowoc County and has held the role of associate director since last August.
Tania Spofford
“I want to thank Tania for the work she has done to build a great team and position the United Way Manitowoc County to move forward,” said Board Chair Sheila Schetter. “We are grateful for her and her leadership. She came in at a time when tough decisions needed to be made—she handled it professionally and with care for the organization, the staff, and the community. We wish her the best of luck and look forward to following the success of her career.”
Notable accomplishments under Spofford’s leadership include:
- Launching the Volunteer Connection Center, which brings together nonprofit agencies, businesses, and individuals, nurturing community engagement across the county.
- Inviting the county’s six public school districts to United Way to talk about school-based mental health and the formation of a new consortium where for the first time all are working together to identify common goals in support of youth social and emotional well-being.
- A renewed focus on promoting United Way’s free products and services like 211, Familywize, and MyFreeTaxes which led to an increase in referrals to local resources and saved Manitowoc County residents over $86,000 in prescription costs in 2018.
The board is looking forward to the next chapter of United Way Manitowoc County under Bender’s leadership.
