CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – United Way of the Coastal Bend started 2024 with leadership changes, new hires, and the expansion of free community driven programs.
WHAT'S NEW?
Stephanie Jordan officially became President and CEO on Feb. 1 after the retirement of her predecessor, Libby Averyt. Jordan, who was first hired in 2017, led a team that raised more than $4 million last year alone through fundraisers, corporate partnerships, and special events.
Christy Tupaj was hired as Vice President of Resource Development and will now lead fundraising and special event efforts such as Operation Supply Our Students (SOS) and the annual United Way Golf Classic.
She spent several years working in marketing, community relations, and event management - first for the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and most recently with the Buccaneer Commission.
The Leadership Corpus Christi Class XLII graduate served various roles with the Charity League and also is a Rotary Club Corpus Christi member.
Mary Ann Cavazos Beckett was promoted to Vice President of Communications & Marketing. Cavazos Beckett joined the United Way about a year ago as the Communications Director after about a two decade career with the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. The award-winning journalist worked as a reporter and rose to editor-in-chief leading grant-funded efforts centered on solutions-based storytelling.
The Corpus Christi native also is a past president of the Texas Managing Editors' Board and served on the Art Museum of South Texas Board of Trustees. She currently serves on the KEDT Board of Directors.
The local nonprofit also has expanded two of its free community initiatives within the past few weeks:
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program added two more nurses to its ranks. The free service supports first-time moms in Nueces and San Patricio counties by having specially-trained nurses regularly visit and provide support early in the pregnancy through the child’s second birthday.
• Potential clients can apply at uwcb.org/apply-nfp-program.
Help Me Grow Coastal Bend, a new Success By 6 Initiative, provides families with supportive tools to enhance their children’s learning and development through free developmental screenings and parenting group activities. The new website helps families find local services they need for preschool, maternal health, and other basic needs.
This expansion also created a new role: Success By 6 Coordinator.
• For more information visit HelpMeGrowCB.com.
• To apply for SB6 Coordinator, visit uwcb.org/employment-opportunities
WHY THIS MATTERS
Jordan said the recent staff changes and free community programs represent a renewed emphasis on the nonprofit's mission to improve local lives through education, health, and financial stability.
"Each member of our staff brings a diverse set of talents and experience but what unites us all is our unwavering commitment to serving our community," she said. "These new hires and other leadership changes ensure that we can continue to grow and support our network of more than 60 local nonprofits. That's good news for the Coastal Bend!"