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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 29 A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9 L iz Cotter Schlax, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Portland, is a stra- tegic thinker. She helps put the "united" in United Way, motivating hundreds of volunteers to get together to work on a cause. She's also good at identify- ing what each volunteer brings to the effort — putting to work "whatever your superpowers are," she says. At the United Way of Greater Portland, she oversees an annual operating budget of $8 million. For the fiscal year 2020, the nonprofit invested $6.84 million in community programs ranging from the Preble Street soup kitchen to Portland Adult Education. Some 45 volunteers spent more than 600 hours evaluat- ing requests and ensuring grants were distributed objectively. "We can't do this work alone," says Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street. "We're humbled by the continued support of United Way in empowering our vulnerable neighbors to strive toward health, stability and independence." In five years leading the area United Way, Cotter Schlax is already making her mark. She worked with stakeholders to develop and carry out a long-range strategic plan, rive 2027. It focuses on three goals: Giving kids a strong start, helping families earn a living wage and finding ways to help people live longer, healthier lives. In recent weeks, after putting out a call for volunteers to help work with asylum seekers who have been stream- ing into Portland, the United Way built a coalition of 1,900 volunteers. e big- gest need is for translators and people willing to do food service. "We recruit the volunteers then send them to the city and they train them," Cotter Schlax says. "Our role is to bring the people together." Born in N.Y., raised in Waterville Cotter Schlax was born in Oyster Bay, N.Y., but her family moved to Waterville when she was in third grade. Her father, William Cotter, who had represented the Ford Foundation in Colombia and worked as an assistant attorney general in Northern Nigeria, served as president of Colby College from 1979 to 2000. e house was filled with artifacts from around the world. She graduated from Waterville High School, and recently went back for her 30 th reunion. ...we're not kidding. The Dunham Group industrial team has more than 85 years of combined experience focused exclusively in industrial real estate. Leading Greater Portland's market, we've sold or leased the majority of the area's industrial properties. Call us today to find the right space for your business. Portland, ME dunhamgroup.com 207.773.7100 Local Knowledge. Regional Focus. Global Reach. When we say we know the industrial market... Maine's Industrial Experts for Over 40 Years Since 1989 Local Decisions Be Budget! 800.924.4229 www.bdtme.com Problems Solved. Budget Document Technology is an industry leader in providing digital solutions for document creation, production, and distribution. Helping Maine get business done! • Multi-functional Color & B&W Copiers • Printers & Scanners • Postage & Mailing Equipment • Software & Network Solutions • Managed Print Services C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »