Our Denton Staff

As the president and chief executive officer of United Way of Denton County, Lilia Chávez Bynum brings a broad corporate, non-profit and community involvement background. Bynum began her career with United Way in 1997, as resource development director of United Way of Denton County. She then served as resource development director for Texas Woman’s University in 1999, moving to TexasBank in 2000, as assistant vice president of marketing, where she served until her appointment as president and CEO of United Way of Denton County in 2006. Bynum is involved in many community organizations. She is involved with the Denton Chamber of Commerce, serving on their board of directors, the University of North Texas, College of Public Affairs and Community Service Advisory Board, the Noon Rotary Club, and the Denton Benefit League. Bynum holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University. This year, she celebrates 27 years of marriage to her husband, Scott. Their son, Tristan is a musician and their daughter, Katherine is a student at the University of North Texas.

Vicki Smith celebrated 12 years of service with United Way of Denton County in 2009, 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 a member of the Denton Rotary Club where she is a co-chair of RYLA and is a member of 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. This year, she celebrates 29 years of marriage to her husband, Mike. Their son, Jared is a veteran, who served two tours in Iraq, and their daughter, Chelsea is preparing to complete her Bachelor’s degree at Texas Woman’s University.

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 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 26 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 son reside in Denton, TX.

Kelley Pound Hawley brings a wide variety of media experience to the role of Marketing and Communications Director. She began her career in the media while still in college at the University of North Texas, working for KNTU-FM 88.1 as the Music/Co-Program Director. After graduating, she worked for the Denton Record-Chronicle as a dual beat reporter, covering Features and Business. She went on to a multi-faceted career at KERA-FM 90.1, where she spent six years in various on-air roles such as local host of All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. Her final position at KERA was Producer of the highly-acclaimed program, The Glenn Mitchell Show. Kelley is an accomplished voice-over artist, having recorded narration projects for the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, KERA 90.1 and the City of Denton. She continues her on-air work as a volunteer news anchor for the City of Denton’s DTV Newsbreak. A 1997 graduate of the University of North Texas, Kelley received a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Radio/Television/Film, with a minor in Journalism. Kelley and their daughters Aiden and Shannon reside in Denton.

Brooke Moore joined the staff at the United Way of Denton County in February 2009, serving as the Senior Community Impact Officer. Prior to coming to the United Way, she worked in the UNT Educational Consortium for Volunteerism. Inspired by her year of service with City Year, an AmeriCorps program, Moore has dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector working for organizations like Start Making Reader Today, Captain Hope’s Kids, and Success for Life through Reading. In her role as the Senior Community Impact Officer, she is responsible for overall volunteer engagement, the oversight of the Volunteer Connections website, implementing and managing all Financial Stability Initiatives including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, as well as maintaining the Information and Referral Helpline. In addition, she acts as the local project coordinator for the North Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center. Moore is also involved in multiple community organizations including the American Humanics Community Council, Denton Kiwanis Club, North Texas Exes Alumni Association, as well as the UNT MLK Year of Service Committee. Moore holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Leadership of Community and Nonprofit Organizations from the University of North Texas. As well as, holds an Undergraduate Certificate in Volunteer and Community Resource Management and the American Humanics Certificate in Nonprofit Management. She and her husband, Matthew, reside in Denton with their dogs Maxwell and Trinity.