Katie Unger-Chipps is the Executive Director of Leadership Washington County (LWC), the leading resource for leadership identification, connection and development in Washington County, Pennsylvania. LWC seeks to strengthen regional leadership through programs, partnerships and connections. Over its 21-year history, LWC has produced more than 300 leaders in 19 classes who are now active in Washington county and in their own communities.
Under Katie’s leadership, LWC has received local and national recognition and steady growth for governance and innovation. Katie is responsible for the administration, programs and strategic plan for the organization, including key initiatives such as fundraising, marketing and community outreach.
Grounded by her business ethics, Katie prides herself on communicating the opportunities and accomplishments of LWC within the Washington County region, enabling her to build key relationships and trust within the community. Her key role is to make connections and build relationships with LWC participants and other business leaders, which serves to strengthen not only the participants’ leadership skills, but also the Washington County region businesses.
Under Katie’s stewardship, she approached her role at LWC as an entrepreneur, bringing the organization to financial solvency, rebranding, expanding the programs that leaders undertake and reorganizing and recruiting a new, refocused Board of Directors, each of whom are successful leaders in their own right.
Katie is involved in the community as Co-Chair of the Washington Health System’s Annual Gala, Co-Chair of a fundraising event for Westminster Nursery School, a volunteer of the South Hills Food Bank, a committee member of South Fayette Civic Center and a committee member of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. She is also involved in women’s initiatives, such as committee member of All For Her Women’s Events, Committee Chair of Dress For Success Pittsburgh Women Who Rock Event, a committee member of Jr. Athena Girl’s Program hosted by Range Resource. Katie holds a Bachelor of Communication from Bowling Green State University, where she studied interpersonal and public communication with an emphasis on sales and marketing. Katie also served as co-chair of Bowling Green University’s Leadership Conference.