Fitzgerald resigns from United Way

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In a move to reconnect with her family and determine what her “next step” will be, Pam Fitzgerald has resigned from her position as executive director of United Way of Isabella County.
Fitzgerald, executive director of United Way, said the personnel committee met Tuesday to form a transition plan, starting with a statewide search for a new director, to ease that person into their position. The search begins immediately.
“I’ll be slowly transitioning away,” Fitzgerald said. “Once they decide on a new executive director, I’ll probably work here in some capacity to help that person transition.”
The annual fall campaign to raise money will not be affected by the change in directors, Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald has worked for United Way since 1993, when she was hired as the first director of the Volunteer Center. She became executive director in 1997.
There are a number of reasons Fitzgerald is leaving. She called her position at United Way a “high energy position” requiring a lot of “enthusiasm and involvement.”
Fitzgerald said she knew when she took the position she probably wouldn’t remain in it for many years.
“This was just the right time for me to transition out of this position, redirect and look for other career opportunities,” Fitzgerald said.
“The contact with such community-minded incredible volunteers” will be missed by Fitzgerald.
“I’ve gotten so much from this position,” she said. “I think I was a very young professional when I came to Mount Pleasant in 1993 and I’ve just grown professionally in so many ways and developed so many skills I think I’ll take with me wherever I go.”
During the time between leaving this position and choosing a new one, Fitzgerald plans to “reconnect with her family and really determine what I want my next step to be and go in that direction.”
She hopes to complete her master’s degree at CMU in educational administration and community leadership.
CMU student volunteers, along with faculty and staff, have been a big help to Fitzgerald during her career at United Way, especially when she worked for the Volunteer Center.
“The students who have embraced that office and moved it forward – I can’t say enough about CMU students, and also the faculty and staff. I’ve worked closely with many of them.
“Our community is filled with incredible people who just want it to be a healthy place for people to live,” Fitzgerald said. “I smile just thinking about it.”