United Way welcomes new leader

April 1, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Valley Life editor

The United Way of Mat-Su has a new executive director, and she said she's committed to keeping United Way a leader in the community.

Michelle Bosau took over the executive director position last week, replacing Sammye Pokryfki, who took a position with the Rasmuson Foundation. Bosau had been the organization's campaign director since last August.

"I know I've got enormous shoes to fill," Bosau said. "But I've got a passion for helping other people."

Bosau's background includes degrees in marketing and communications, and she said that's a change from previous United Way of Mat-Su executive directors, who mostly came from health and human services backgrounds.

"I'm not a social worker, but I've worked a lot with nonprofits," Bosau said. "I've worked either in higher education or with nonprofits for most of my career."

United Way of Mat-Su Board President Elizabeth Ripley said Bosau's background, and her previous work experience, make her a good fit with the organization.

"Michelle brings a wealth of talents and expertise to this position as well as a knowledge of United Way and our member agencies," Ripley said.

While Bosau takes over as the executive director, she said she doesn't foresee too many major changes. One change that people may notice comes from a plan that was in place before she took over, and is being implemented nationally.

"You'll start to see in a year or two that the United Way of America is moving toward a 'community impact' model," Bosau said. "We are going to start adopting programs to administer ourselves, and not just be a pass-through organization for money.

"The United Way of Mat-Su has essentially been doing that for several years already," Bosau said.

A major focus of the United Way is fund-raising. Last year, during the annual Mat-Su campaign, the organization raised close to $550,000 Bosau said.

"We have set the goal to raise a million dollars in one campaign," she said. "And if we don't do it this year, we're going to try again next year, and the next year, and the next year. We can do it."

The money raised by the United Way of Mat-Su goes to 18 agencies in the health and human services sector, to help fund social programs. Donors may also give money to the United Way of Mat-Su that is earmarked for other agencies, and the United Way makes sure the money goes where it is intended.

Bosau said she sees some of the biggest challenges facing her in her new position as being growth, and keeping people focused on the community.

"The growth raises the challenges for our agencies to keep up with a rising population that needs more services," Bosau said. "We're still trying to get people who work in Anchorage and live out here to realize this is their community. This is where they are getting services."

April presents a busy month for the United Way of Mat-Su.

The allocations committees will be visiting agencies to decide how much to fund, the group is presenting its annual Dorothy Jones Volunteer of the Year award later this month, and the organization is putting together the annual Mat-Su Health Fair, which will be held at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex after years of being held at the mall.