TAMI MINNIER

Care and compassion set the tone for leadership

United Way is pleased to welcome Tami Minnier as the new co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC). Tami is the Chief Quality Officer for UPMC and oversees the Wolff Center which drives quality and safety across the UPMC enterprise. She is also the Executive Director for the Beckwith Institute, a $16 million-dollar foundation supporting innovation in care delivery. In her professional roles, Tami is a champion for individuals who need to find comfort and support in some of their most trying times. For Tami, working with United Way is a natural extension for her passion to improve outcomes and lives.

Tami attributes her strong desire to give back to her childhood in North Central PA. “I came from very humble beginnings on a dairy farm. If it had not been through the help of local organizations and services offered to my parents I might not be where I am today.”

As a decade long contributor and WLC member, she is excited to step into her first United Way Leadership role. “The opportunity to make a difference to people that are dealing with very difficult things in their life—to alleviate their  stress and discomfort is a way to give back in the world,” says Tami. “What I love about United Way is that it’s grassroots. It’s a front-line approach to making a difference.” From her own experience as a child, Tami knows that just a little bit of help can make the difference.

Tami believes WLC speaks to what can be achieved when women come together to help others. She points out that United Way of Southwestern PA has the 3rd largest Women’s Leadership Council in the county, despite being the 66th largest city. She hopes to encourage even more women to join over the next two years.  “You’re helping people but you also have the benefit of the networking—you meet some pretty impressive women—with connections you never know where they will bear out! As women we have our heads down on our careers, we’re focused on family, and our many other responsibilities. This organization broadens that horizon for all of us.”

Despite her many leadership successes, Tami says her greatest accomplishment is her son, Seth Merryman. Seth recently graduated from Oakmont High School and is headed to Michigan State this fall.

To learn more about United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, contact Lynne Popash at lynne.popash@unitedwayswpa.org in Allegheny County or Alyssa Cholodofsky at Alyssa.Cholodofsky@unitedwayswpa.org in Westmoreland County or Amy Franz at Amy.Franz@unitedwayswpa.org in Butler County.