CLEVELAND (May 26, 2023) – Sharon Sobol Jordan, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, announced today the promotion of Kristen Popelmayer to Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, effective immediately.
“Kristen has a proven track record of bringing ideas to life through strong communication that inspires people to listen and act, having served in leadership roles at both public and private sector organizations over the last 15 years,” said Jordan. “She and her team have an important role in telling our story as we further define our path forward and work to drive solutions for mobility from poverty to prosperity.”
In this role, Popelmayer will report to Jordan and oversee all of the organization’s Brand Strategy, Marketing, and Communications programs, providing strategic marketing and communications counsel, tactical execution, and support to all departments within United Way, with a focus on growing the brand.
In response to her appointment, Popelmayer said, “I am honored to be entrusted with stewarding and driving the growth of United Way of Greater Cleveland’s brand. I look forward to working with the team to build a greater understanding of the impact our programs, initiatives, and philanthropic dollars have on the Greater Cleveland community.”
Popelmayer has served as Interim Vice President of Marketing and Communications since October 2022, leading United Way’s Brand, Communications, and Marketing strategy, efforts, and team. She joined United Way as Director of Brand Experience in September 2021.
Before joining United Way, she held various marketing and communications roles with The J.M. Smucker Company, The MetroHealth System, and University Hospitals Health System.
Born and raised in Greater Cleveland, Kristen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, minors in Spanish and English Writing from Walsh University, and a Master of Nonprofit Organization from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Popelmayer and her husband, Mike, reside in Medina County with their two children.
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About United Way of Greater Cleveland: United Way of Greater Cleveland was founded in 1913 and is a local, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty across the Greater Cleveland area. United Way invests in efforts that address poverty using a two-pronged approach. The first prong focuses on the daily issues affecting those living in poverty. The second drives research and innovation, identifying long-term solutions to break the cycle of poverty. For more information, visit unitedwaycleveland.org and twitter.com/UnitedWayCLE.
