United Way and Community Leaders to Host Conference on Economy and Education

REISSUE
DATE CORRECTION
2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

“World is Flat” Author, Thomas L. Friedman Featured as Keynote Speaker

On Oct. 6, United Way of Greater New Haven, along with other community leaders, is holding a conference to discuss the economy and educational well-being of our area entitled What Will It Take? Creating a Competitive, Economically Vibrant Region. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Michael J. Adanti Student Center at Southern Connecticut State University. The registration fee is $25 per person. Lunch will be provided.

Thomas L. Friedman, the event’s keynote speaker, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times and renowned author of the best-selling novel “The World Is Flat,” winner of the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award. In 2005, he was honored as one of America’s Best Leaders by US News & World Report. Friedman’s featured address will discuss how the world has “flattened” due to technological and communication advances and how these changes will affect our economy and our communities.

The conference will examine the latest data on the economic and educational disparities in our region and will explain how community members can get involved to ensure an economically successful and competitive future for Greater New Haven.

In partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven, the conference is being organized by local organizations including ACES, Bayer Corporation, Carmody & Torrance, Casey Family Services, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, CT Voices for Children, Empower New Haven, Gateway Community College, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, New Haven Business and Professional Association, New Haven Family Alliance, NewAlliance Foundation, New Channel 8 & My TV 9, Regional Growth Partnership, South Central Regional Council of Governments, Southern Connecticut State University, United Illuminating Company, Workforce Alliance, Yale University, Yale University-School of Management and Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Those interested in attending can register at http://www.uwgnh.org or contact Kathleen Norwood for more information at (203) 772-2010 ext. 213.

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United Way Vice President to Receive “40 Under 40” Award for Contributions to Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

Jennifer McGrady Heath, Vice President for Community Leadership at United Way of Greater New Haven, has been selected to receive The New Haven Business Times “40 Under 40” award. The award recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the greater New Haven community in terms of professional achievement and community involvement. Heath and 39 other award recipients will be honored at a breakfast on Friday Oct. 6 at Amarante’s Sea Cliff in New Haven.

Heath is responsible for United Way’s community investments and civic engagement initiatives. She directly oversees Community Compass, a regional partnership to identify major issues and opportunities for change and Success By 6, a United Way-led effort to ensure that all children in the region are ready to learn and succeed by the time they begin school.

“I feel privileged to do this type of work,” said Heath. “In my work and volunteer roles, I have focused primarily on issues affecting children and families, including early care and education, after-school programs and k-12 education. It is very gratifying to be able to work with others in the community to improve lives and I am honored to be receiving this award.”

Prior to joining United Way, Heath was a non-profit consultant at Holt, Wexler and Farnam, where she assisted clients with strategic planning, program evaluation, and group facilitation. Her clients included local non-profits and foundations, several United Ways, and city and state government. Jennifer is also an elected member of the Hamden Board of Education.

Jack Healy, President and CEO of United Way of Greater New Haven, says, ”Jennifer is very deserving of this recognition. Her energy and experience are so valued at United Way but more than that her commitment to her community is truly inspiring.”
Jennifer is a graduate of Davidson College and holds a Master in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School for Public Affairs at Princeton University.

About United Way:
United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help can be found at www.uwgnh.org.

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