Katie Unger-Chipps is the Executive Director of LWC Leadership Program, the leading resource for leadership identification, connection and development in Washington County, Pennsylvania. 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. 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 Southwestern region businesses.
Katie 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. In 2021 she launched the introduction of Masterclass programs providing opportunity for continuing education. Katie and the board launched three types of Masterclass programs: Elevate, Empower, & Emerge. The programs have specific topics in a lunch and learn environment for alumni but are also open to the community at large.
In March of 2020, Washington County faced the effects of the pandemic on frontline workers in healthcare and public safety along with the financial crisis to the local restaurant industry. By April 2020, Katie organized her board, fellow LWC alumni, and community support to start Feed the Fight Washington County. The goal was to patronize local restaurants and show support for healthcare workers.
Katie is involved in the community as Co-Chair of the Washington Health System’s Annual Gala since 2018, one of five co-chairs with The Giving Tree Project at Westminster Presbyterian Church in conjunction with the Bair Foundation, Co-Chair of a fundraising event for Westminster Nursery School, Horses of Hope Gala committee member, St. Clair Health’s fundraising committee for their 23rd Annual Summer Swing fundraiser, 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.
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.
Katie and her husband Eric have been married for 15 years and reside in South Fayette with their children Will and Lillian.