Staff - United Way of Henderson County

Executive Director

Denise Cumbee Long

Denise joined the UWHC team as Executive Director in April 2015. Prior to her arrival, Denise was the executive director of International House, a nonprofit organization in Charlotte serving immigrants and refugees. She is also the former director of a statewide loan repayment program for public interest attorneys and a domestic violence agency in Louisburg, NC. Denise holds JD and MDiv degrees and has served as interim senior pastor at congregations in Chapel Hill and Elon, NC. She and her husband love LIVING UNITED and being part of a caring community here in Henderson County.

Director of Finance

Robin Morgan

Robin has been part of the UWHC team since 2008. Prior to coming to Hendersonville, she worked at Lake Toxaway for 18 years in the resort management field. A native of Transylvania county, she loves living in western North Carolina and enjoys time with her family and friends.

Operations Coordinator

Jessica Chipriano

Jessica grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she attended Penn State University for her degree in Human Development & Family Studies and Community Services. She worked for quite some time as a case manager for homeless veterans, and also spent several years as a manager in the hospitality field in both Savannah, GA and the WNC area. She now calls Hendersonville her home, where she lives with her husband Damian, and their precocious little rescue dog, Charley, who runs the household.

Director of Community Impact

Sarah Kowalak

Sarah served as UWHC's Marketing & Communications Coordinator from 2007-2013, and is thrilled to rejoin the staff after two years as the Community Relations Director at The Free Clinics. Originally from Massachusetts (and still a devoted Red Sox fan), Sarah and her family have been in Henderson County for ten years, and love calling the mountains their home. As Director of Community Impact, Sarah is looking forward to collaborating with all of our partners to make real improvements in education, income, and health in our community.

Director of Marketing

Katie Allison

Katie is a native of Spartanburg, SC and a graduate of Wingate University where she majored in Communications. She now calls Hendersonville home where she lives with her husband Casey and son Rawlings. Prior to coming to UWHC, Katie was the Communications Coordinator for a nonprofit in Asheville and also the Executive Meeting Manager for a conference center in Haywood County. As the Director of Marketing, Katie enjoys helping spread the word about all the positive change that happens when people pool resources and work together for good.

Volunteer Matching Program Coordinator

Kara Ashley-Gilmore

United Way is thrilled to have Kara Ashley-Gilmore on staff as the Volunteer Matching Program Coordinator. The Volunteer Matching Program is a community-wide one-stop shop to connect potential volunteers with the many nonprofit agencies in Henderson County that need volunteers to help them accomplish their work. A licensed art therapist, Kara has been an active member of the Hendersonville community for the last nine years. She enjoys painting in her home studio, camping, and hiking with her family through the area's beautiful forests.

Director of Resource Development

Tate Johnson

Tate joins United Way of Henderson County as Director of Resource Development and has a wealth of experience in fundraising, management, and government. A native of eastern North Carolina, Tate attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he obtained an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration. He previously served as Resource Development and Marketing Coordinator with United Way of Coastal Carolina and as Governor Perdue’s Director for Eastern North Carolina. Tate currently serves on the NC College Foundation as a trustee.

Community Impact Associate

Adrienne Pomeroy

Adrienne Pomeroy joins United Way of Henderson County as the Community Impact Associate. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Adrienne spent nine summers at Camp Greystone in Tuxedo, NC and considers this area now home. Adrienne brings a broad range of experience from the campaign, nonprofit and education sectors. Adrienne holds a B.A. in Political Science from UNC Charlotte and a Masters of Public Policy from Simmons College in Boston, MA. When not spending time with friends and family, and enabling her “foodie” tastes, you can find Adrienne working out at Pure Barre Asheville.