United Way for Southeastern Michigan Appoints Chief Impact Officer

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Tonya Adair
PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED WAY FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN

United Way for Southeastern Michigan has announced the appointment of Tonya Adair as chief impact officer. In her new role, Adair will drive the development and implementation of United Way’s community impact strategy including basic needs, health, education, and economic prosperity. She will lead a team of 12 to assist underserved communities across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

Adair has more than 20 years of experience and previously served as chief academic officer of the Milwaukee Public School District (MPSD), where she collaborated with United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha and the Milwaukee Teacher Education Association to lead national collective impact strategies.She also has experience overseeing complex operations, community engagement, and turnarounds, as well as securing multi-million-dollar grants.

Prior to her role as chief academic officer, Adair served as chief innovation officer, high school prinicipal, and assistant principal with MPSD. She began her career as an educator for Ouachita Parish Schools in her hometown of Monroe, La.

“The role of United Way is to be a catalyst for long-term social change toward improving the lives of others,” says Darienne Driver, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “We are thrilled Tonya will be leading our impact work, bringing experience as an executive, educator, and in community engagement. She brings a unique set of relevant skills to the role that will help create epic impact for our families and individuals as well as our more than 200 agency partners throughout southeast Michigan.”

Adair earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Grambling State University in Grambling, La. and her master’s in education, administrative leadership from Alverno College in Milwaukee. She plans to complete her doctorate in philosophy from Milwaukee’s Cardinal Stritch University in 2019.