Staff & Interns

Gary Henderson: President & Chief Executive Officer

Gary Henderson joined United Way of Denton County as President and CEO in June of 2011. Before joining the UWDC team, Gary served as Communities In Schools of North Texas CEO for nine years. During the time he led this Denton County-based non-profit organization it grew over 500%. Prior to entering the non-profit sector in 2003, Gary enjoyed a successful 17-year business career as a Price Waterhouse Senior Manager and a Bank of America Senior Vice President. Gary led Bank of America’s Private Bank Technology and Operations division including more than 400 associates across the U.S. and Grand Cayman offshore Private Bank. Gary brings a bias for growth, a passion for helping people and a deep desire to leverage his skills and experiences to promote the common good through service in our community. He currently serves as a member of the Denton Noon Rotary, assisted in the formation of the SERVE Denton Board of Directors, and is a past Texas Association of Partners in Education board member. Gary and his wife Pam have two adult children and have called Denton County home for more than 23 years.

 

Vicki Smith: Chief Financial Officer

Vicki Smith celebrated 15 years of service with United Way of Denton County in 2012, where she has served as a beacon to smoothly and efficiently guide the organization in all of its financial operations. Smith brought her background from Military Club Support in Abilene, a printing and publishing firm, where she worked as an accountant for 13 years, and D.R. Horton Custom Homes, where she worked for two years as a staff accountant, to United Way of Denton County in March 1997. During her time with United Way, she has improved technology and streamlined the accounting procedures, thereby reducing administrative costs. Smith is involved in many community organizations. She is Club Treasurer for the Denton Rotary Club where she is a past co-chair of RYLA, a member of Denton Benefit League, and is secretary for the Denton Quilt Guild. In addition to these organizations, she is also involved with several United Way committees, including the finance and administration committee, technology and audit committees. Smith holds a Bachelor’s in business administration and accounting from Abilene Christian University. Vicki and her husband, Mike, have been married for 32 years. Their son, Jared is a veteran, who served two tours in Iraq and is pursuing his degree at UNT; their daughter, Chelsea, teaches 4th grade and is a TWU graduate.

 

Jodi Ramón: Resource Development Director

United Way of Denton County welcomed Jodi Ramón in January 2007 in the Community Resources Director position. She went on to serve as Public Sector Campaign Director and was promoted to Resource Development Director in August 2010. Prior to coming to United Way, she worked for six years in the human resources department for Texas Woman’s University. Ramón is involved in several community organizations in addition to serving as the manager for the SECC committee. She is a member of the North Texas Society for Human Resource Management (NTSHRM) and the Denton Chamber of Commerce. Ramón holds the Professional in Human Resources certification (PHR). She enjoys spending her time off attending various sporting events with her husband and children.

 

Leah Jordan: Community Impact Director

Leah Jordan is a versatile staff member for United Way of Denton County. She began working with UWDC in September 2002, following a five year career managing an insurance agency. During her time with United Way, she has served as Resource Development Director, Director of Marketing and Communications, and currently serves as the Community Impact Director. One of her many accomplishments came after reorganizing the Leader on Loan program in 2004, resulting in exceeding the campaign goal in 2004, for the first time since 2001. Jordan oversees partnerships with partner agencies, as well as being responsible for United Way initiatives and programs. She is also involved in many other community organizations including Kiwanis, The Healthy Communities Coalition, The Homeless Coalition, the Denton Information Network, and serving as Disaster & Volunteer Coordinator for VOAD (Volunteers and Organizations Assisting in Disasters). Jordan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Texas Woman’s University. She, her husband, and two sons reside in Denton, TX.

 

Emily Green: Grant & Donor Information Management Director

Emily Green joined the United Way Staff in October of 2010. Prior to her employment with United Way, Emily served as secretary of the Drama Department at Texas Woman's University. Emily holds a degree in Psychology from Texas A&M. As Grant and Donor Information Management Director, Emily is responsible for donor and partner information management and analysis, grant research and writing, processing pledge forms and running campaign reports. She also coordinates with staff, volunteers, partner agencies and donor companies to manage resources and information related to campaign and community impact. Emily volunteers through Hope for North Texas and is a Big Sister through BBBS of North Texas. Emily resides in Roanoke.

 

Traci Williamson: Community Impact Coordinator

Joining the team in August of 2011, Traci Williamson was hired as the Community Impact Coordinator. Traci holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising-Minor in Business- from Texas State University in San Marcos. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As Community Impact Coordinator, Traci is responsible for managing teams of volunteers delivering direct service programs, including VITA and the NALC Food Drive, to the community. She has several years of experience in direct service programs, most recently as the Reading Is Fundamental Program Coordinator through BOOKSPRING, Inc. in Austin, TX.

 

Teddy Yan: Research & Community Impact Staff

Teddy joined the United Way of Denton County staff in April 2013 after serving successful Non-Profit Management and Community Impact Internships with our organization.  Teddy graduated from the University of North Texas in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.  As Research & Community Impact Staff, Teddy supports critically important work across all domains of our organization including Community Needs Assessments, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site coordination, marketing and technology support and events coordination.

 

Interns