Alumnus is new CEO for United Way of Lancaster County

Kevin M. Ressler ’07 has been announced as the next president and CEO of United Way of Lancaster County. He begins in his new role Jan. 2, 2020.

Ressler is currently the executive director of Meals on Wheels of Lancaster. He was selected in a national search that included nearly 100 candidates.

“In Meals on Wheels, I’ve been fortunate to lead one of the most critical direct support nonprofits in the area. Now, I am energized by the opportunity to serve as the next President and CEO of United Way of Lancaster County, whose role in supporting direct support nonprofits can be critical to their growth and capacity building,” Ressler said in a press release. “Leadership success often rests on the excellence of the staff, volunteers and, with United Way, the Collective Impact Partnerships. I have heard and seen all the evidence of that excellence through the interview process to further build on the promise United Way of Lancaster County represents for a community known internationally for supporting each other through philanthropy and social good.”  

Ressler is a co-founder of the Doplic Project, Lancaster Action Now Coalition, and Black Lives Matter 717. He ran for mayor of Lancaster City in 2017.

In his five years leading Meals on Wheels, Ressler and his team built upon nearly 50 years of established practice, expanding service offerings and improving the quality and consistency of service. Under his leadership, Meals on Wheels expanded their mission to concentrate on impact rather than output numbers while increasing volunteer and donor support. They also consolidated and merged other Meals on Wheels programs to streamline workflow and ensure longevity and sustainability. This year, they have served more than 1,000 community members with 180,000+ meals by coordinating more than 40,000 volunteer hours with an average of 375 monthly volunteers.  

“Throughout the CEO search process, we were impressed with Kevin’s authentic leadership style, the relationships he has built in the community and his vision for United Way,” said Don Maier, United Way of Lancaster County board chair and leader of the search committee. “We were all very impressed with Kevin’s sense of pride about the Lancaster community and his deep understanding of the County’s needs. He will bring a new energy and vision to carry on United Way’s collective impact work to make lasting change in our community.

 Ressler has a Bachelor of Arts degree in justice, peace and conflict studies from Eastern Mennonite University. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary.