“I love helping people,” Sheri Hershberger says. “I enjoy helping them save money, make money, and just help them get on the right financial path. That’s hugely important to me.” With more than three decades of experience in banking and insurance, including her current role as the controller of A & R Executive Management group of companies in Pittsburgh, she is certainly well qualified. Sheri’s passion for volunteering her time and expertise through United Way is truly making a difference in people’s lives.

Her commitment to helping young women become independent and strong led Sheri to a role in United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC). The WLC is an organization that unites more than 2,200 women leaders across the region to foster strong professional and personal bonds and collaboration among like-minded women who care about making a difference in their own communities and around the world.

Sheri is also a proponent of United Way’s 211 phone system. Similar to the 911 service, 211 is an easy-to-remember phone number that quickly connects people in need with resources that can help. When calling 211, individuals are promptly greeted by a kind voice on the other end of the line belonging to someone who is eager to help. 211 operators listen carefully and then connect callers with the appropriate human services and community resources that are tailored to their needs— from food and clothing to financial counseling from professionals like Sheri.

“I help people recognize how financial problems can spiral out of control and lead to poverty,” she says. “Then we work together to spot warning signs in their own situation and identify the things they can do to put themselves on solid financial ground.” Sheri adds, “They often just need coaching to become empowered to turn things around.”

Getting involved is something that has always come naturally to Sheri. She has a natural curiosity and a strong desire to learn and never hesitates to dive into new opportunities. “That really helped me with my success,” Sheri admits. So, when she and her husband Keith left their hometown in the DuBois, Pennsylvania-area back in 1993 and made the move to Butler, it was no surprise to anyone that she quickly became a highly active member of that community, getting involved in a number of other organizations. When a good friend recommended her for the United Way local Board of Directors in Butler about a year ago, Sheri didn’t hesitate. “That was the beginning of my involvement with United Way, and it’s been a wonderful way for me to give back to my community.” For anyone considering involvement with United Way and WLC, Sheri has nothing but encouragement. “I would say jump in with both feet and with an open heart and an open mind. The experience will be very fulfilling.”

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.