TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The man who’s led the United Way of the Wabash Valley for the past seven years is planning to retire.
Richard Payonk will be stepping down from his position at the United Way at the end of the year. Tuesday the organization named its new leadership team.
The board of directors voted to promote two current employees as his replacement. Abby Desboro and Danielle Isbell will serve as co-executive directors.
It was Payonk who suggested the two women share the responsibilities.
“It was clear to me early on, both Abby and Danielle had the right skill sets and drive to be excellent leaders in our community,” Payonk said.
“We both have unique skills we can bring to the table,” Desboro said. “And we both trust in each other to lean in and lean on each other.”
“We very much look forward to continuing that same positive momentum that Richard has built in our organization,” Isbell said. “We are in the community day in and day out and we look forward to continuing to do that.”
The three will work together during the remaining time this year to create a smooth transition of power for the organization.