Management Team

Merl Waschler, President & CEO
Merl serves as Valley of the Sun United Way’s President and Chief Executive Officer. As the executive leader Merl is responsible for the $85 million nonprofit organization, serving the health and human service needs of Maricopa County. Merl is supported by a staff of 100 who work with more than 3,000 volunteers and 90,000 donors. Under his leadership, United Way leverages the expertise and passion of donors, volunteers and staff to support programs and create long-term solutions that ensure children and youth succeed, increase the financial stability of individuals and families and end hunger and homelessness.

Merl joined United Way in 1992 as the Chief Financial Officer. He is a graduate of Penn State University where he earned a degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining United Way Merl held finance and managerial positions with Oryx Press, the Disclosure Information Group, the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., and Arthur Andersen & Co.

Merl is on the board or a member of a number of local organizations and committees including: AZ Ready Council, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, BUILD Arizona, Expect More Arizona, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Leadership, ASU School of Public Programs, and Rodel Foundation; and serves on a number of United Way Worldwide committees including UWW National Professional Council and US System Task Force.

Katherine Cecala, Chief Operating Officer
Katherine leads the strategic business operations for Valley of the Sun United Way including finance, administration, technology and human resources. In this role, she also oversees the implementation of organizational business strategies. Prior to joining United Way, Katherine served in various leadership positions at Mayo Clinic including serving as Director of Patient Financial Services where she directed all aspects of the medical service revenue cycle. Katherine holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a Masters in Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University and a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Management Engineering from Louisiana State University.

Katherine is a committed community volunteer and has served as chair for Valley of the Sun United Way’s community investment process, a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. She also volunteers her talents and time with Valley Leadership, Children’s Museum of Phoenix and Mountain Park Health Center.

Nancy Dean, Senior Vice President of Resource Development 
Nancy directs all aspects of organizational fundraising for Valley of the Sun United Way, including the annual workplace campaign, major gifts, endowment and planned giving programs. Prior to joining United Way, Nancy served as President and CEO of the Arizona Foundation for Women where she led diverse business and fundraising strategies to meet the critical needs facing Arizona women and families. She was previously the Chief Operating Officer for the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter, where she also oversaw emergency response programs including transportation for victims of domestic violence. Nancy also served on senior development teams at the University of Nevada, Reno and Arizona State University.

Nancy is an active member of the community and serves on the Governor’s Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women, ASU’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management Leadership Council, and is a founding member of the A.T. Still University Women’s Wellness Program, among others. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts degree in humanities from the University of California, Irvine.

Tamera Skrovan, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Tamera oversees strategic audience engagement initiatives at Valley of the Sun United Way, including marketing and communications. Tamera brings more than 20 years of diverse strategy, brand development and marketing experience to VSUW. Prior to joining United Way, she was Director of Marketing for The Nature Conservancy where she led marketing communications for the Arizona, New Mexico and Canada programs. Tamera helped advance Fortune 500 brands such as Target Stores and Caterpillar, Inc. and served as Director of Brand Development for one of Europe’s top internet brands, Chello Broadband. Tamera received her B.A. degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Iowa State University.

Brian Spicker, Senior Vice President of Community Impact
Brian oversees the investment of dollars into the community and the development of initiatives work at Valley of the Sun United Way. He has served in the Health and Human Services sector for more than 30 years. Prior to joining United Way in April of 2002, Brian led Body Positive, Inc., an HIV Research and Resource Center for six years. Brian also served as the Director of Development for an abuse prevention organization raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for violence prevention and support. Brian has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Early in his career, he championed the development of the first set of state funded group homes for the developmentally disabled.

Brian is very active in the community, currently serving as a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center’s Finance Committee and Board of Directors, a long-time member of the Maricopa County Board of Health, an Advisory Board Member of the ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management, and a long-time member of Arizona Grantmakers Forum’s Program Committee.