Dr. Pam Schwalb is Chief Operating Officer at United Way of the Midlands (UWM). Pam joined UWM in July 2013 as Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations, and has worked to drive operational efficiency and excellence, while overseeing good stewardship of donor contributions. In 2014, she assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer, leading a team of professionals in the day-to-day operations of the organization, including Human Resources, Accounting and Finance, Information Technology, Campaign Operations and the 2-1-1 Call Center. She works closely to support fundraising and community investment efforts, as well as the board-level volunteer committees to set the annual budget and ensure that UWM is accountable to donors, companies and our community.

Prior to joining United Way, Dr. Schwalb served in faculty positions from 2006-2013 at Clarkson College and College of Saint Mary, teaching graduate and undergraduate classes in finance, economics, organizational behavior and leadership. Her professional business experience includes a 12-year tenure at First Data Corporation, where she was the Chief Financial Officer for several of the business units, overseeing $1 billion in shareholder revenue. Other work at KPMG Peat Marwick and MasterCard International involved strategic planning, financial management and reporting.

At UWM, Pam managed the sale of the building occupied for over 60 years, negotiating a long-term lease and managing a $2 million remodel. She introduced cash controls and processes for a $25 million fundraising campaign, facilitated a Call Center strategy with a group of external subject matter experts, upskilled staff to address strategic direction and execution, upgraded the GL system, automated financial reporting and budget processes, as well as the phone and internet functionality. She significantly reduced the collection loss ratio, documented policies and procedures and produced an Employee Handbook.

Pam received her PhD in Human Sciences with a concentration in Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Pam has a long history of volunteer and corporate leadership experience with business, civic, health and nonprofit organizations including: College of Saint Mary, Uta Halee Girls Village, Alegent Health Mission Committee, Child Care Associates, Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council, Junior Achievement of the Midlands, the National Society of Leadership and Success and Youth Emergency Services.