As United Way California Capital Region nears its 100th anniversary of making community change happen, the organization has welcomed a new visionary leader. Dr. Dawnté Early joined the organization as president and CEO in November 2021 after serving as chief of research and evaluation for the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. A city councilmember of West Sacramento, she is a passionate, dedicated community leader who brings a renewed, energized vision to United Way and the Capital Region.

“I am excited to lead this amazing organization of regional leaders committed to reducing poverty and investing in the education of our most vulnerable community members,” Early says. “I look forward to growing our partnerships to help the region emerge from the pandemic with an even sharper focus on increasing economic security and reducing disparities.”

The local United Way believes creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities starts at square one: helping every family succeed so their community can too. Families know what they need to thrive, and United Way is their partner on that path, connecting them with resources to achieve their goals.

With the pandemic weakening communities and exacerbating injustices, United Way is now working on an even larger scale to help families heal and meet the organization’s 20-year commitment to significantly reduce poverty in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. United Way is laying the stepping stones to help every family succeed and build a healthy community by helping kids excel in school, investing in families, creating meaningful partnerships and organizing to lift impacted families.

Early has made it her life’s work to address issues that impact people from low-income and historically marginalized communities, and United Way is proud to have her take the reins.

Join United Way in helping local families heal and thrive.