BIO: Baer has dedicated her career to the philanthropic sector with 20 years’ experience in nonprofit leadership. She received her formal nonprofit management education from Lakeland University as well as her master of arts degree in community counseling. With a reputation as an innovative change agent and respected nonprofit leader, Baer was appointed executive director of United Way of Sheboygan County in January 2020, with a title shift to President & CEO as of May 2024. She has vast experience in board development, grant writing, fundraising, public relations, community outreach, donor cultivation, fiscal management, and marketing. As a relationship builder with strong interpersonal communication, Baer enjoys creating and maintaining partnerships necessary to help United Way of Sheboygan County continue to grow and thrive. Collective impact and systemic change work are at the heart of what she believes as ingredients for communities to flourish. She values United Way’s role as a philanthropic lead organization, uniting businesses, donors, volunteers, and community agencies to create deep and meaningful impacts. For most of Baer’s career, she has not only worked in nonprofit management, but she has also been an adult educator and consultant on a variety of subjects related to early childhood education, emotional health, compassion resilience, wellness, mindfulness, and greater happiness. She has a passion for supporting marginalized communities, promoting mental health and wellness, theatre, arts, and preserving the environment. While she never takes herself or life too seriously; peacemaker and adventure-taker support her in her professional and personal roles. She lives in the beautiful tourist village of Elkhart Lake, WI where her and her husband are raising their two sons, JJ (11 years) and Brady (8 years), who keep her grateful and busy with two Goldens, Clover and Dandelion. Kate points to mindfulness as helping her be the best version of herself and she enjoys traveling, game nights, and hiking.