Wendy Koch

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s 2024 Ally Award goes to Wendy Koch, Senior Director of Regional Engagement at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Wendy Koch is the senior director of regional engagement for United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, where she leads the development of volunteer and engagement activities for key stakeholders. Wendy is also an innovative educator and leader, and is the driving force behind Connect U, an eight-week leadership program at United Way where young professionals learn to become champions for human services in the community. She is constantly developing tools and resources that provide people with a deeper understanding of the difficult choices many in our region face each day. Through these engagement activities, she challenges assumptions and deepens understanding of how racial and wealth disparities in the United States hold too many families back from fulfilling their potential. In addition to developing the tools, Wendy facilitates these activities across our region, helping thousands of people to understand the issues that many of their neighbors’ face.