28-03-2025
United Way of Southwest Georgia President & CEO Shaunae Motley steps down
ALBANY – After six years of service, Shaunae Motley announced she will step down as president/CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia.
Motley took on the role in 2019, thus beginning six years of guiding the most vulnerable in southwest Georgia through some of their toughest challenges and greatest successes. Motley expanded the organization's reach and deepened its impact across the region. Under her leadership, UWSWGA has strengthened its investment in rural communities, forged critical partnerships, and mobilized resources to tackle some of southwest Georgia's most pressing challenges.
'Serving as president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia has been one of the greatest honors of my career,' Motley said. 'This work has been both strategic and heart-driven — guided by a deep love for community and a commitment to creating lasting change.'
Motley's tenure has been defined by a commitment to equity, innovation and collaboration. She played a pivotal role in securing transformative funding to support regional recovery efforts and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring local nonprofits and community programs have the resources to thrive.
During her tenure, Motley spearheaded numerous milestones in COVID-19 response, financial growth and stability, organizational visibility, and addressing mental health and violence among youths and schools.
Under Motley's leadership, the UWSWGA's role was emphasized as more than just a grantmaker. It was centered as a key connector for the community and a catalyst for change.
She expanded the area United Way's annual budget to $1.3 million, doubling revenue and securing more than $3 million in grants to support regional programs. Her efforts reversed a near six-year decline. She also increased the UWSWGA's staff and brought on interns and volunteers to help expand programming.
Motley led the United Way of Southwest Georgia's crisis response to the COVID-19 pandemic, raising $800k in relief funding to support regional families, businesses and nonprofits.
She established the Youth United Teen Mental Health Coalition as part of Resilient Southwest Georgia's trauma-informed practices in building up southwest Georgia communities. Youth United is made up of teens, hosting events and working together to improve the health and well-being of the community by addressing adverse childhood experiences.
Motley launched local school districts' participation in the nationally recognized Sandy Hook Promise initiative to prevent school violence and promote positive school climates.
Motley's impact extends statewide through her board service with the Georgia Foundation for Public Education and the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance, where she has advocated for bridging the resource gap between metro Atlanta and rural Georgia. She also serves on local boards including: 4C Academy Foundation, Randolph County Family Connection (former Board Chair), and Flint River Fresh.
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award (2023) and the Trailblazer in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award from United Way Southeast Region (2022). She has also been honored as a national American Express NGen Fellow (2019) and Zell Miller Leadership Institute participant (2019).
In 2023, she led the UWSWGA to being recognized as Nonprofit of the Year by the Albany Area Chamber.
'Shaunae's leadership has left an indelible mark on United Way of Southwest Georgia,' Mark Johnson, the chair of United Way's Board of Directors and Business Development Officer at Georgia's Own Credit Union, said. 'Her passion, vision, and unwavering dedication have strengthened our organization and positioned us for continued impact. While we are sad to see her go, we celebrate all she has accomplished and wish her the best in her next chapter.'
United Way of Southwest Georgia will announce plans for leadership transition in the coming weeks.
