MARIS DAUER

“What I love most is the work that I get to do in the community and with organizations like United Way,” says Maris Dauer, smiling. “I guess it comes naturally as I have always had a desire to be a part of a community that gives back.” A Pittsburgh native, Maris says she had this notion of giving back instilled in her by the Sisters of Mercy, who led studies at Carlow Campus Day School, where she attended from kindergarten to 8th grade.

Maris is the Associate Vice President, Marketing Administration, Community Charitable Giving & Employee Communications at UPMC, where she has been on staff for more than 20 years. She wears many hats, but admits she never gets bored. “I love being part of the decision-making on how we can best make an impact—and not just by giving financial support, but by creating opportunities like workforce development programs. We do so much in the community that people don’t even know about, and I’m just honored to be a part of it.”

Maris also serves as co-chair for Women’s Leadership Council (WLC). WLC unites more than 2,200 women leaders to foster strong professional and personal bonds, all while collaborating to make a difference in their own communities and around the world. “The WLC and United Way are both very good stewards of dollars and are very thoughtful. They review and analyze agencies to receive support. They assess how big an impact each dollar will make in the community, and I really love that.” But United Way and WLC aren’t her only commitments. She sits on numerous boards for organizations, including River Life, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Allegheny County Parks Foundation and the National Aviary, all of which, she admits, keep her more than busy.

Admittedly, she has a full plate, but she loves the camaraderie and enjoyment she gets from working with United Way and WLC. Her advice for anyone who may be thinking about joining is simple. “WLC provides you with the networking and the relationships, but it also provides you opportunities to get out there and really put your hands to work helping people and making a difference.” When she’s not actively giving back to her community, you’ll find her exercising, playing golf, traveling, and enjoying time with her husband. She enjoys her extended family, of 14 nieces and nephews.

To learn more about United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, contact Lynne Popash at lynne.popash@unitedwayswpa.org in Allegheny County, Terri Dominick at Terri.Dominick@unitedwayswpa.org in Westmoreland County, or Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher at sherrie.dunlapgallagher@unitedwayswpa.org in Butler County.