YORK COUNTY, S.C. – United Way of York County, SC is proud to announce that Emily Pate, Director of Collective Impact, has been selected as one of 100 emerging leaders worldwide to participate in United Way Worldwide’s Next Gen Leaders Initiative.
The Next Gen Leaders Initiative is an innovative, future-focused leadership development program designed to equip rising United Way leaders with the skills needed to navigate complexity, strengthen communities, and drive measurable impact. The highly competitive, cohort-based program represents a two-year commitment to intensive study, collaboration, and applied leadership practice.
Launched in April 2024 in partnership with the Institute for the Future, the initiative emphasizes strategic foresight, empathy, and collaborative innovation. Participants develop “demonstration projects,” small-scale, time-bound initiatives designed to address pressing community challenges and serve as scalable models across the global United Way network. Leaders selected for the program represent 93 United Ways across 39 states and eight countries.
The Next Gen Leaders Initiative focuses on cultivating five universal leadership skills: clarity, humility, collaboration, agility, and ethics. The program reflects a global commitment to proactive, long-term leadership that prepares the social sector for evolving economic, health, and community challenges.
“Emily leads with both heart and discipline,” said Rebecca Melton, President of United Way of York County. “She approaches every challenge with thoughtfulness, integrity, and a deep commitment to the families in our community. Being selected for the Next Gen Leaders Initiative is a testament to the leadership she already demonstrates each day. We are incredibly proud of her and excited to see how this experience will expand her impact both here in York County and across the United Way network.”
In her role at United Way of York County, Pate works to advance community impact initiatives that address financial stability and access to essential resources for local families. Her selection underscores both her leadership potential and the strength of the York County United Way organization within the broader global network.
United Way of York County remains committed to investing in leadership development that strengthens its ability to serve the community. Pate’s participation in the Next Gen Leaders Initiative represents both a personal achievement and a continued investment in the future of York County.
For more information about United Way of York County and its work, visit https://www.unitedwayofyc.org/.
###
About United Way of York County, SC
The United Way of York County (UWYC) mission is to help York County families achieve financial stability by 2030. To move the needle in leading families toward financial stability we focus on Workforce Development, Financial Literacy, and Economic and Family Support. We do this by partnering with nonprofit and faith-based organizations, local government, and businesses to collectively build a better York County. Governed by a local volunteer board, the UWYC is locally operated and independent of any other United Way organization.
