Date: July 26, 2021
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The United Way of Sumner County Board of Directors has named Erin Birch chief executive officer of United Way of Sumner County.
Birch has worked in Middle Tennessee nonprofits for more than 20 years, most recently as chief development officer for United Way of Sumner County since June 2017. Birch’s appointment to the organization’s top leadership position takes effect immediately.
“It is an honor to be selected as the CEO of United Way of Sumner County. I’m thrilled and humbled to come alongside so many exceptional leaders - our board, staff, non-profit agency partners, schools, churches, local and state government, industries of every kind and size - to help address community challenges as we work together for the collective good of our beloved Sumner County,” Birch said. “The success of our local United Way is vital to creating positive change in our county. United Way’s unique significance is our ability to identify issues, develop partnerships, put solutions into action, and assess results. To successfully fulfill our mission, we need the support of our community. I encourage everyone to learn about our community’s needs, then act out of kindness for your neighbors. Whether giving of time or resources, we can all make a difference when we work together.”
Birch’s work at United Way of Sumner County reflects her commitment to the community and makes her the clear choice to lead the local non-profit, UWSC Board Chair Pat Conner said.
“Over the past several years, Erin has provided the vision and leadership necessary to move this organization forward,” Conner said, in announcing Birch’s appointment.
Birch, who earned a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University, in Edwardsville, Ill., has extensive experience in strategic planning and development, grant writing, multimedia marketing, event planning and fundraising.
She began her professional career in 2000 with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid-South Chapter in Nashville.
During her time with the MS Society she served as special event coordinator where she managed the Bob Mueller MS Celebrity Golf Scramble, the MS Walk and the MS 150 Bike Tour. She was promoted to community relations manager and then development manager, overseeing a wide range of duties including strategic planning and development.
In 2005, Birch joined Special Olympics Tennessee as vice president of development, managing event planning, recruitment and marketing. Under her leadership, Birch’s team hosted the Nashville Golf Classic, Polar Plunge and the Special Olympics Summer Games Opening Ceremonies.
From 2012 to 2017, Birch worked as the grant coordinator for Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee, writing grants for multiple projects and programs and raising more than $480,000 in funding for the Middle Tennessee chapter.
During her time with United Way, she has spearheaded all of the nonprofit’s fundraising activities, managed multiple events and projects and increased sponsorship and donor recruitment and retention.
Birch, a graduate of Leadership Sumner County, serves as an ambassador for the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce. Birch is an active local volunteer and has served in many capacities, including working on the grant committee for Mary’s Magical Place in Hendersonville, where she helped secure funding for the all-inclusive playground designed for children with special needs. She and her husband, Travis, and their two daughters, Allie and Aubrey, also are active in the Hendersonville First United Methodist Church.
United Way of Sumner County has been serving the community since 1977. The local organization funds more than 30 nonprofit programs to improve the lives of local residents in the four focus areas of health, education, financial stability and rebuilding lives.
To learn more about United Way of Sumner County visit unitedwaysumner.org.
