The Board of Directors of the United Way of Stanly County announces Salem Taylor as the new executive director to lead the organization.

Taylor brings extensive nonprofit knowledge and experience to the position, according to the board. Prior to joining the United Way of Stanly County, she served for nearly 10 years as program director for Homes of Hope, a UWSC partner program.

She has also worked with Stanly Community Christian Ministry and Monarch, as well as volunteered in various community programs.

In her previous role as program director for Homes of Hope, Taylor worked to address homelessness in Stanly County through transitional housing for families and emergency overnight housing through the Community Inn shelter. She collaborated with many of the partner agencies supported by UWSC and was involved in community initiatives to address meeting basic life needs and poverty rehabilitation.

Taylor’s experience with local agencies provides her a knowledge of both the community needs and the partner programs supported by the United Way.

“This knowledge and experience will be instrumental in making a smooth transition of leadership as our agency moves into the annual campaign season,” said Iggy Austin, United Way of Stanly County president.

Taylor added: “Since 1973, the United Way of Stanly County has been the cornerstone of nonprofit support and an instrument of positive change in our community. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this agency towards continued growth and have an impact on the needs facing Stanly County today. My goal is to bring the United Way to the forefront of community work here, and to empower people to be a part of effective solutions to the causes that matter to them.”

The 2018 campaign will kick off with a breakfast at CHS Stanly on Aug. 29.

Salem Taylor can be reached at staylor@unitedwaystanly.org or 704-982-6916.