United Way Director Announces Retirement Plans

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Williamsburg Sharron Cornelius has announced her plans to retire at the end of March 2011.

Cornelius took her current position in 1997 after decades of serving other local organizations in North Carolina, Florida and Massachusetts. Under her leadership, the United Way raised more than $17 million to aid residents of the Historic Triangle community.

“What success we have enjoyed these last 13 years derives from the energy and effort of literally hundreds of women and men who have given unselfishly of their time and talent in the cause of the United Way’s mission,” Cornelius said. “It has been a great privilege and pleasure to get to know them and to work side-by-side with them.”

During her years with the agency, the Williamsburg United Way changed its funds distribution philosophy and method. The organization shifted from funding agency deficits to a system that allocated money directly to specific programs that demonstrated greatest need and measurable outcomes, according to a press release on her retirement.

Cornelius is a long-time board member of the Williamsburg/James City County School Foundation and a long-time member of the Government Relations Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the board of directors of Walsingham Academy and was a member of the Williamsburg Rotary Club.

Cornelius and her husband Bob, who also recently retired, will continue to live in the Williamsburg area. They plan to travel, become active volunteers and enjoy the cultural and educational opportunities so abundant in the community.

“During her 13 years in Williamsburg, Sharron has made a significant and lasting impact on our community and her shoes will be hard to fill,” said Bob Graves, Chairman of the Board of the United Way of Greater Williamsburg.

The United Way will do a national search to find a new executive director before Cornelius leaves in the spring.