UWNNM Executive Leadership Team, front row from left, Executive Director Cindy Padilla and Marketing and Grant-making Manager Jeremy Varela. Back row from left, Collective Impact Director Faith Maxwell and Director of Corporate and Community Engagement Donna Milanovich. Courtesy/UWNNM
UWNNM News:
In 2024, under the leadership of its Board of Directors, United Way of Northern New Mexico (UWNNM) created its first Executive Leadership Team adopting a model of “Collective Leadership”. Katie Shonck (Harvard Law School, Program for Negotiation) defines collective leadership as “a group of people with diverse skills and experience that come together to work toward goals that they develop jointly.”
This model of leadership is different from traditional leadership – where “one person makes key decisions after consulting with others, in collective leadership, the group empowers the person or people with the most relevant expertise to tackle particular problems and implement solutions”.
UWNNM New Leadership Team
Since 2017, UWNNM has been on a resilient quest to address staffing challenges and ensure sustainability. Traditionally, the executive director handled most of the workload, supported by part-time staff and contractors with specific tasks. This placed immense pressure on the director as the sole point of accountability. The new model of shared leadership transforms this dynamic by distributing responsibilities among experienced individuals, each bringing their expertise and informed recommendations to the table. This approach alleviates strain and empowers the organization to thrive and innovate together.
UWNNM’s work spans fundraising, grantmaking, business administration, event planning and program implementation for community change. Given its limited budget, supporting a large full-time staff isn’t feasible. However, assembling a team of proven leaders who commit to specific responsibilities on a part-time basis made perfect sense.
This knowledgeable, experienced, and dynamic team uses a collaborative management approach. While each member handles specific operational needs, their strength lies in working together. The strength of UWNNM’s communities is rooted in its history, resilience, diverse cultures and shared desire for a better future.
“We believe in the power of collective effort—truly, we are better together.”
Team members are proven leaders from local communities, committed to the mission and guided by compassion. Local nonprofits are more robust when United Way is strong.
Executive Director Cindy Padilla
Padilla started with UWNNM in 2019, left in the fall of 2021 to be more active in her parents’ caregiving and healthcare, and returned in 2023. She is a native of northern New Mexico growing up in Santa Fe and living in the beautiful Española Valley for the past 10 years. As a social worker by training and spending her professional career in government, Padilla has since worked for nonprofit organizations (national and local) for 10 years. Her passion is helping others realize their full potential supporting their work, personal growth and quality of life.
Director of Corporate and Community Engagement Donna Milanovich
Following a long career as a professional musician, university instructor, and later executive director of the Chicago Philharmonic, Milanovich moved to White Rock two years ago with her husband George Srajer, after he began a position with the Scorpius project at Los Alamos National Laboratory. As part of the UWNNM grants review committee, Milanovich was “so impressed by the rigor and assessment process of the grant review conducted by UWNNM, and often moved to tears by the inspirational stories told and dedicated nonprofit workers she met and the impact they had.” Milanovich quickly knew UWNNM would be the conduit to making healthier communities in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties. She was then invited to be part of the Executive Leadership team.
Collective Impact Director Faith Maxwell
Maxwell’s work and education experiences are deeply rooted in a passion for community enrichment and advocacy, with a focus on creating healthier and more supportive environments for individuals of all ages. This commitment to inclusivity and ensuring access to opportunities for often-forgotten members of society has been a guiding principle throughout her life. She is inspired by the resilience and potential of the communities she serves and believes in the power of collective action. “As part of the Collective Impact Team at United Way, I advocate for young adults, adults and children, working to ensure they have the support and resources needed to thrive. My dedication to fostering inclusive environments continues to drive my efforts in creating positive change.”
Marketing and Grant-making Manager Jeremy Varela
After being encouraged to join United Way in 2013, Varela’s involvement transformed his professional outlook, leading him to dedicate his marketing and business expertise to nonprofits. Since then, he has worked intermittently with UWNNM and also contributes his time to Las Cumbres Community Services. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Varela founded Secret City Kitchen, which he has since sold, yet his entrepreneurial drive continues to shine as he rebuilds the UWNNM website and streamlines the agency’s systems. “What truly inspires me about my work is the nonprofits,” Varela said. “Meeting the incredible individuals who pour their hearts and souls into serving others motivates me to strengthen United Way of Northern New Mexico as a vital resource for many nonprofits.”
