Our Team

Kay Keller

President & CEO

Kay serves as the President and CEO of United Way of Northeast Georgia, joining in this leadership role in February 2019. She has lived and worked in the Athens-Clarke and Oconee area her entire life, and served on the Board of United Way of Northeast Georgia since 2017. She most recently worked in Economic Development and Community Engagement with The University of North Georgia. Prior to that she served as the President for the Oconee Chamber of Commerce, as Northeast Georgia service representative with Georgia Power Company in Athens, and is a small business owner with her husband. She enjoys community building through collaboration. Connecting partners and generating ideas is at the heart of what she enjoys most. Kay lives in Oconee County with her husband of 26 years. They have two children, Brooke and Jacob. Kay is also a fellow Rotarian, a charter member of the North Oconee County Rotary chapter.

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Elizabeth Earl

Director of Development

Elizabeth Earl, Director of Development at United Way of Northeast Georgia, has a tenured background with the organization. Prior to joining the staff in 2017, Elizabeth was a volunteer with the organization for 10 years. While at the University of Georgia School of Law, she was inspired to work in the nonprofit sector. Though she didn’t jump into nonprofit work right away – instead working at a local bank for 10 years – she was always passionate about helping meet the needs of the community. Throughout her time on staff at United Way of Northeast Georgia, she has served as Director of Grant Development, Director of Resource Development and is now Director of Development. Elizabeth lives in Athens with her husband and their son. She is an avid reader, enjoys kayaking, and can be found most often spending time with her family and friends.

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Mark Madison

Director of Community Impact

Mark Madison, Director of Community Impact, coordinates the Community Impact Grant process and volunteers, oversees 211, and facilitates collaborations with local nonprofits, educational programs, government entities and businesses. Mark moved to Athens to attend UGA, getting both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university. With a desire to connect nonprofits in collective work, he started answering 211 calls as a volunteer while in college. He officially joined the staff of United Way of Northeast Georgia in 2016. Mark serves on the MLK Day of Service Steering Committee, the Family Connection Early Child Care and Learning Strategic Action Team, and other community organizations, lending his perspective and connections wherever he can. Outside of work, Mark is just as likely to spend a weekend camping as he is reading a good book, but almost every day he enjoys a walk and trying out a new recipe at home.

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Alison Alwes

Director of Marketing & Engagement

Alison Alwes joined United Way of Northeast Georgia in late 2019 as the Director of Marketing and Engagement. In her role, she helps tell the story of United Way of Northeast Georgia, sharing the message and mission of the organization, its volunteers, donors and partners, and the ways we all LIVE UNITED. Prior to joining United Way of Northeast Georgia, Alison worked at marketing and PR agencies in Atlanta and Athens, helping craft messages, develop brand strategy, manage crises, conduct spokesperson training and implement client communication strategies and efforts. Alison moved to Athens in 2017 and since arriving has fully immersed herself in this community, serving as a volunteer with the Athens Farmers Market, an admin council member at her church, actively participating in the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, and is always ready to help those in the Athens and greater Athens community. Outside of work, you can find Alison attempting to garden, playing tennis and riding her bike, or exploring the food scene around town.

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Sean Cordovez

211 Database Specialist Intern

Sean Cordovez is our new intern for the 2021-2022 school year, serving as a 211 Database Specialist. Sean is in his third year at the University of Georgia majoring in Management Information Systems (MIS). Born in the Philippines but raised in Doraville, Georgia, Sean comes from a family of immigrants and is the first in his family to attend college. When he is not studying or working, Sean is the Tech Director for UGA's Filipino Student Association and a member of UGA's IEEE student group. Sean is looking to develop his skills and give back to the community while working with us.

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