United Way Employee Accepted into Prestigious Worlwide Leadership Program

Valley United Way would like to congratulate Sara Aylward, Director of Resource Development, for her recent acceptance into the exclusive, United Way Worldwide LEAD Program. Leaders Engaged in Accelerated Development (LEAD) is United Way’s global headquarter’s engagement and professional development platform for high- performing and high-potential leaders. This is a significant accomplishment and an honor to receive, as LEAD only accepts 30 members worldwide, each year.

Sara is no stranger to leadership programs as she actually got her start with United Way as a member of Valley United Way’s Youth Leadership Program when she was a student at Ansonia High School. VUW President and C.O.O. Jack Walsh said, “We are extremely proud of Sara’s selection for this program, but not at all surprised. As a student at Ansonia High School and as a member of our Youth Leadership Program she exhibited the skills that are now being recognized by United Way Worldwide as they develop a whole new generation of leaders for United Way.”

As a member of this elite program, Sara has an outstanding opportunity to learn and grow within the United Way network, comprised of over 1800 locations in 40 countries. Members gain exclusive access to professional and career development opportunities and resources through mentoring, webinars, peer-to-peer networking and exclusive time with executives on a global level.

Applicants of the program were judged on their Performance – setting standards of excellence, exhibiting integrity and pride, exceeding performance expectations and self-motivation, Potential -the ability to advance into significant and complex leadership roles, expressing a high level of professional excellence, and demonstrating superior interpersonal skills to work with others, and Competencies – displaying and demonstrating the highest level of United Way focus around mission, collaboration and results.

Through LEAD, United Way Worldwide will enable high-quality talent that is essential for long-term stability and continued success of United Way in communities worldwide and aims to build a pipeline comprised of United Way’s top 10% of talent by the year 2020.

(This is a press release from Valley United Way)