The Team

Laurie Root is the President of United Way of Erie County. She joined United Way in 2010 in the resource development department and moved up to SVP before assuming the role of president.

Mike joined United Way of Erie County in 2010 as a Campaign Representative and was named Vice President of Community Impact in 2017.Mike oversees our community impact work, which includes partnerships, grants and initiatives.

Mike is an Erie native who served as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to Australia and United States Peace Corps Volunteer in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania before joining the United Way team.

Julie is the Chief Development Officer and shares responsibility with the President in stewarding key philanthropic relationships, overseeing fundraising activities, and developing and implementing strategies that drive investment from individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations. She also manages Women United for Community Schools, an affinity group that serves as a funding partner for the community school model.

An Erie native, Julie graduated from Boston College and then worked in marketing and communications in the healthcare industry before transitioning to university advancement in public higher education. Julie has also served on numerous community boards. In 2023, she was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the Judy Ann Lawrence Outstanding Fundraising Professional. She was also honored by the Mercy Center for Women at their Women Making History event in 2019. This award is given in recognition of leadership abilities that advocate, inspire, mentor, and celebrate women through work and community service.

Lori Krause joined United Way in 2021 as the Senior Director of Community Impact and currently supervises the three middle school and Erie High Community School Directors in Erie’s Public Schools along with three county elementary school Community School Directors in the Girard, Iroquois and Union City Area School Districts.

Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Nathan embarked on a transformative journey to the United States, earning his master’s degree in business analytics from Drexel University.

Josh received his bachelor’s degree in statistics and predictive analytics, as well as a master’s degree in data analytics from Robert Morris University.

Alycia Olivar is a West Coast transplant with a background in medical administration, medical assistance, and behavioral health information management in a community-based setting.

Sara Naughton studied writing and sociology at Slippery Rock University and went on to receive a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

After more than twenty years of experience in community health and human services, Katrina moved to Erie in 2017 to become the community school director at Strong Vincent Middle School.

Meghan is an Erie native, attending Erie’s Public Schools as an elementary and middle school student before graduating from Fairview High School in 2002.

Scot, an Erie native, started as a Community School Coordinator at Edison Elementary before joining Perry Elementary as the Community School Director in January 2021.

Amy, an Erie native, graduated from East High School in 2003 and went on to obtain a B.A. in Psychology and dual minors in Athletic Coaching and Sports Behavior from Gannon University.

Growing up in Mercer County, Caitlin moved to Erie to attend Mercyhurst University, where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Tami, an Erie native, returned back home to serve the community as a social worker in 2011. After graduating from Mercyhurst Prep, she attended North Carolina State University on a full athletic scholarship.

Bailey Pituch, a native of Union City, graduated from Union City High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree at The College of Wooster.

Rachel is an Erie native, a graduate of Iroquois High School and Edinboro University, earning an Associate and Bachelor degree.

Shanna is an Erie native who attended Edinboro University and received bachelor's and master’s degrees in education.

A Girard School District graduate herself, Tammy received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Counseling both from Edinboro University.