United Way of Monroe County Executive Director Barry Lessow will retire in mid-September after serving the organization for 23 years, the last 13 as director.
Efrat Feferman will take over as the new Executive Director on September 18. Lessow will continue to work part-time until the end of the year as the organization transitions to new leadership.
Feferman currently works as the Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Bloomington Utilities. She has worked with the United Way in Tuscon, Arizona. As a board member for the Monroe County chapter, she has worked for the organization's annual campaign, grants and the Emergency Food and Shelter programs.
"In my time with Efrat, she has proven to be a very quick learner, perceptive, and oriented toward bringing people together productively," Lessow said in a statement. "I certainly look forward to seeing how the organization will grow under Efrat’s leadership."
Feferman also serves on the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater's Board of Directors.
"Barry’s commitment to a smooth transition speaks to his seasoned leadership and to his unwavering dedication to this organization and this community," Feferman said in a statement. "I look forward to jumping right in and working with the United Way team."
