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United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) announces that CEO, Sarah Kicmal, is leaving her role at the beginning of April to accept a position with December Day Creative. The UWSWMN Board of Directors will open a search for a new CEO in the near future. “We cannot thank Sarah enough for the dedication, passion, enthusiasm and motivation she has given United Way of Southwest Minnesota and our communities over the past several years” said Terry Kriz, UWSWMN board chair. “She will be greatly missed by the staff, Board, donors, volunteers and community partners. We look forward to following the success of her career and are hopeful and excited for the next chapter of United Way of Southwest Minnesota as we continue to unite people and resources to improve lives and strengthen communities in southwest Minnesota. Our Board of Directors holds great confidence that UWSWMN is served by dedicated staff and supported by generous donors, strong partners, and able volunteers both now and into the future.” Kriz and Rachel Nuese, UWSWMN board vice chair, will lead the Transition and Search Committee for Kicmal’s successor.
“I am leaving with the utmost respect and appreciation for this organization. I have treasured my time with UWSWMN. I have had the honor to meet and work alongside so many wonderful people that I will never forget. Life is filled with experiences and people that shape our lives and when a chapter ends, we take many things forward with us. One of those for me will be the importance of team work. Not only is it needed in the workplace but in our communities, schools, sports teams and even our relationships. Team work really does make the dream work. I will always be grateful, forever honored and completely humbled to have been a part of the UWSWMN family for almost 7 years,” shared Kicmal.
During Kicmal’s time with UWSWMN, she helped raise over one million dollars to improve lives and strengthen communities across southwest Minnesota. Highlights of Kicmal’s accomplishments include: organizing and facilitating three rounds of COVID-19 response fund grants to quickly help local nonprofit programs; coordinating a Read for the Record 10 year celebration with SMSU Men’s Basketball; earning the Charities Review Council seal; UWSWMN receiving the Distinguished Partner Award from United Community Action Partnership in 2021; initiating new awareness building events; earning a certification in Nonprofit Management from University of the Pacific; participating in the Marshall Leadership Academy and Women’s Connect Steering committee; and serving as a past member of the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Cabinet.