Our People
United In One Goal
Helping Those In Need
LOCAL EXPERTISE IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL NEEDS
Since 1958, United Way Hastings & Prince Edward has been working in tandem with community, business, government and health and social services. Through research, consultation and experience, we know where the need is greatest in each community – and we invest our efforts and your donations where they will have the greatest results.
WE BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
We make sure the right people, organizations and skills are at the table to solve the tough problems. We work together with nonprofits, government, community agencies, corporate partners, labour and donors to improve lives across Canada. Our allocations process is volunteer driven, and creates best case scenarios for donor impact. We care about our community as do you, and we work with you to Improve Lives Locally in this 100% Local movement.
WE ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES
While a band-aid fix may help in the short-term, we also aim to create lasting change. By learning more about the factors that influence issues like poverty, we can tackle them early and develop long-term solutions as part of a larger network of over 70 programs. Our programs and partners are providing essential health and social services to those most vulnerable right her in Hastings & Prince Edward. We can no do it without you – our partners. Together we are stronger.
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- e. bhodge@unitedwayhpe.ca
- p. 613.962.9531 ext. 30
Brandi Hodge
Executive Director
As a trained social service worker, facilitator, and strategic planner Brandi has been actively involved in the social service sector for the better part of 25 years working with people with disabilities, children, seniors, fundraising and community impact. She has vast experience and interest in organizational improvement initiatives most often working with not for profit organizations and networks to facilitate strategic plans, operational plans, board recruitment, good governance strategies, team building days and the development of policies and procedures. She is a trained facilitator in outcome measurement and evaluation.
Brandi is a strong believer in community development and grassroots approaches to social issues and is often found working alongside other passionate individuals and organizations to improve community conditions. Brandi’s passion for the United Way movement saw her return to the organization following a short period away; she believes it is uniquely positioned with its mandate, its brand power, and the respect of the community to contribute to and affect positive change.
She is a life-long resident of Hastings County and lives in Stirling with her husband and two boys.
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- e. mcressman@unitedwayhpe.ca
- p. 613.962.9531 ext. 24
Melanie Cressman
Director of Donor Relations
Melanie cares deeply for those in need, and as an entrepreneur she operated Halladay’s Equine for close to 20 years. Her business model positively impacted many at risk youth, and other vulnerable members of the community. The business was both a school of horsemanship, as well as a therapeutic place for many people in the community. She has collaborated with local agencies such as North Hastings High School, Community Integration, Children’s Aid Society, United Way, Trillium Foundation, Bancroft Community Transit, Local Doctors, Maggie’s Resource Centre and several other supporting organizations. Having worked for the past two plus years at Procter and Gamble, Melanie has been heavily involved in United Way HPE product sales, and campaign activity — being a strong believer in the work of the United Way in our community.
Melanie has a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), University of Guelph, majoring in Resource Management. She is also a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and a 3 time recipient of Silver Power of You Award of excellence in the workplace and presentation skills/ Procter and Gamble. As a sales and fundraising professional with more than 15 years of experience, Melanie brings a great deal of enthusiasm to her position as Director of Donor Relations, United Way Hastings and Prince Edward. She is a long-time advocate for the United Way movement.
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- e. jsmith@unitedwayhpe.ca
- p. 613.962.9531 ext. 29
Jennifer Smith
Resource Development Specialist
This opportunity brings Jennifer proudly back home to Ontario next to family and friends, where she believes small decisions have the potential to bring about great change.
Jennifer has a passion for discovering new ways of bringing non-profits and local businesses together to help facilitate positive impacts within our community. She brings an array of non-profit, development and marketing experience, along with over 10+ years of involvement within the broadcasting and media sectors.
Her career began as an on-air radio personality, reaching a wide-range of demographics and local businesses within the Toronto and eastern Ontario regions, as well as opportunities in Alberta and Vancouver Island, BC.
After identifying a passion for working hand-in-hand with local individuals, Jennifer switched gears to the marketing realm, serving as Project Manager for a full-service marketing company along the west coast. It was here that she worked closely with many local businesses to ensure their message was carried-out and heard.
Jennifer then began work as Development Officer for a local non-profit where she continued to work with community decision-makers and businesses, focusing on community engagement, funding allocation as well as corporate and in-house events.
As Resource Development Specialist within the United Way Hastings Prince Edward group, Jennifer’s goal is to inform local businesses about exciting opportunities within the United Way movement, and how to get involved with the many individuals, programs and services helped along the way.
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- e. pnopper@unitedwayhpe.ca
- p. 613.962.9531 ext. 26
Paula Nopper
Associate Administration and Data
Paula comes to the United Way Hastings & Prince Edward after working as an Administrative Assistant for the Children’s Health Research Institute at Western University where she provided high-level support to the Director, Administrator and Scientists. She worked with departmental budgets, coordinated conferences and events, processed graduate student admissions, and provided additional support to all members of the Research Institute. She has coordinated conferences and events, and previously worked as a Financial Assistant to the Department of History at Western. Her finance work has included online purchasing and expense reports, reconciliation of department and corporate accounts and budgets, as well as online credit card management. She has also worked as a part-time instructor in Health Information Management at Loyalist College.
Paula has 25+ years of combined customer service and high-level administrative experience. She is enthusiastic and committed with a warm and congenial personality, allowing the formation of solid working relationships and ongoing customer satisfaction.
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- e. communications@unitedwayhpe.ca
- p. 613.962.9531 ext. 22
Courtney Black
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Courtney is a driven entrepreneur with a love for learning and helping others. She was featured in “Top Leaders Under 30: Bay of Quinte” edition as community leader who’s passion to break learning barriers was recognized. “Having an individual as passionate, humble and hard-working as Courtney in the community is something very special, and I strongly believe she is deserving of this recognition” Courtney is always looking for ways to improve herself and the lives of others.
She has many wonderful skill sets which make her a great fit for United Way Hastings & Prince Edward. Courtney owned and operated her own business, holds a Skilled Trades certificate in Woodworking from Sheridan College and has worked as a project coordinator for a contracting company out west. She believes knowledge is power and holds value to the educational experiences she has been provided.
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- e. volunteers@unitedwayhpe.ca
- p. 613-962-9531 ext. 27
Connie Nye-Kaley
Volunteer Management Lead
Connie comes to the United Way Hastings and Prince Edward after over 25 years in strong community leadership. With her experience in management and executive roles, she is especially efficient at working with both groups and individuals at accomplishing large tasks. “I am a goal setter, problem solver and creative “outside the box” thinker, researching all areas that are required to expand my current repertoire of knowledge in organization operations and then apply them to community.” She was employed as Head Coach/Administrator at the very successful Quinte Bay Gymnastic Club growing the organization from a small club environment to a large successful family athletic resource in the Quinte region. She then worked in the Quinte West community to grow and establish the highly successful Quinte West Youth Centre where she held the Executive Director role for many years. Currently, Connie continues to volunteer in the community, sitting on the Board of Directors for Continuing On In Education in Belleville. Where there is an opportunity to contribute to strong communities and growth, Connie is there.
Connie is a graduate of the Advanced Coaching Techniques program at Seneca College where administration and leadership was a focus. She then moved on to expand in knowledge with a focus on understanding human behaviour and development, graduating from Behavioural Science program at Algonquin College. Currently, Connie is working to continue expanding her education by studying Psychology at Athabasca University.
Connie and her husband live in Quinte West with their two children, enjoying all that the Quinte region has to offer.
“Being new at the United Way Hastings and Prince Edward, I am very excited to use my skills to help expand the volunteer opportunities within the organization. Volunteering is the truly the backbone of our community!”