Emerging Leaders are community members under 40 years old, giving an annual gift of $500 to the Oshkosh Area United Way. This is a network of passionate, young professionals, creating lasting impact in our community. Members connect with our community and other leaders through professional development, educational opportunities, volunteerism and networking events. Through these unique opportunities members leverage the power of United Way to connect, serve and grow — both personally and professionally.

Why is the commitment $500 or more?

United Way Worldwide and neighboring United Way Emerging Leaders programs have an investment level of $500. As we grow a stronger United Way network in the greater Northeastern Wisconsin region, we want to create a united Emerging Leaders front. The investment of $500 is to ensure that ELs across all areas can attend events and networking opportunities with one another at the same level.

We want to focus on the positive change $500 can make in our community. OAUW programs impact 1 in 3 people in the Oshkosh area. Your support unites our partners with success. It allows them to spend less time fundraising and more time focusing on executing programs for positive impact.

Emerging Leaders IS different than other professional organizations. It begins with an investment in United Way. 

As you may know, the 2020 ALICE Report (Asset Limited Income Constrained and Employed) states 40% of Oshkosh city residents cannot afford basic needs like food, shelter and utilities. These are our neighbors, our co-workers and our friends. They are the next generation of workers, leaders and decision makers. We have a chance and commitment to lead them to success. An investment to Oshkosh Area United Way continues the fight for stable Oshkosh families.

With your yearly gift of $500, the OAUW and its funded programs can provide:

• Free dental visits for more than 30 children
• Three meals a day for five low-income students for over a month
• 85 bus tokens for homeless shelter guests to get around town
• One year of diapers for a child
• One book a month for one year for four preschoolers
• and much more!

These are just examples of what your donation as an Emerging Leader provides. As an added bonus of the Emerging Leaders investment, the program comes with professional development events and community networking throughout the year. 

What if I am already a part of another professional organization?

Great! We love knowing there are committed community members like you connecting with each other in Oshkosh! We’d love to have your group visit one of our events, or talk to our staff about how your group can join in. An investment from members of your organization could create a wave of change in our community!

Emerging Leaders is for people age 40 and under, giving an annual gift of $500 or more. You can gift the annual pledge through a one-time annual donation or payroll deduction! If you are already donating at a $500 level and interested in getting more involved on a committee, or are interested in increasing your gift to become an Emerging Leader, please contact us at terri@oshkoshunitedway.org! 

You can also join us at our upcoming TELTalk event! TELTalk is a bi-annual event for Emerging Leaders in the Oshkosh and Fox Cities communities offering professional development opportunities on various topics.

Today’s Emerging Leader Talk (TELTalk)

Meet Chelsea Stindt

Chelsea has been an Oshkosh resident since 2007 and a lifelong resident of the Fox Cities. She is a two-time graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a BBA and an MBA in HR Management.

She and her husband, Matt, became passionate about United Way in 2012 when she served as a company lead for a past employer, McClone. Since then, Chelsea has been an Emerging Leader. She has also been involved with the OAUW financial allocations process for three campaign years, and chairs the Financial Stability panel.

Chelsea has worked for Oshkosh Corporation since 2013. She is a Human Resources Manager focusing on developing and caring for team members worldwide. She looks forward to bringing her passion for personal, professional, and community growth to the Emerging Leaders program.

Meet Amy Ashton

Amy has been an Oshkosh Area resident since 2005. She is a graduate of UW Oshkosh with a degree in elementary education and of Marian University with her Master’s in Educational Administration. Amy works for the Oshkosh Area School District and currently serves as principal of Lakeside Elementary School. 

She has  served on the United Way Board of Directors from 2011-2018. She has been an Emerging Leader since 2011. She has also been involved with OASD’s giving campaign and the allocations process for United Way’s education committee. 

Amy is passionate about building relationships within the community and supporting the growth of children. She is excited to promote the Emerging Leaders program in Oshkosh.