Sheila Tulli, a 27-year veteran of United Way of Berks County, has been selected as the organization’s next president, the board of directors announced Friday.
Currently senior vice president of resource development, Tulli will succeed longtime President Tammy White upon White’s retirement in June 2027. United Way officials said the months leading up to the change will serve as an extended transition period intended to provide leadership continuity.
Sheila Tulli, a 27-year veteran of United Way of Berks County, has been selected as the organization’s next president. (Courtesy of United Way of Berks County)
Pete Connors, chairman of the United Way board, said selecting White’s successor was one of the board’s most important responsibilities.
“Throughout a thoughtful succession process, Sheila demonstrated the vision, judgment, integrity and understanding of our community that we believe are essential to lead United Way into its next chapter,” Connors said.
Tulli joined the local United Way in 1999 and rose through the organization, taking on responsibilities in fundraising, strategic planning, community partnerships, donor engagement and staff development.
During her tenure, she helped lead annual fundraising campaigns exceeding $11 million and worked on major and leadership giving, strategic priorities and organizational sustainability.
As senior vice president, Tulli oversees United Way’s resource development efforts, including annual and digital campaigns, donor engagement, stewardship and performance reporting, and serves on the executive leadership team.
“United Way has been an extraordinary part of my professional life, and I have seen firsthand what is possible when people come together around a shared commitment to our community,” she said.
Officials said Tulli’s selection followed a succession process that included input from board and staff members and an assessment of her readiness to lead the organization. A committee charged with assessing her leadership unanimously recommended her appointment.
“I have had the privilege of watching Sheila grow from an entry-level member of our resource development team into a trusted executive and organizational leader,” said White, who endorsed Tulli’s candidacy.
White described Tulli as collaborative and solutions-focused and said she understands the need to preserve the trust United Way has built in the community while continuing to move the organization forward.
White has been selected by The Wyomissing Foundation trustees to succeed Patricia Giles as president, effective June.
Tulli holds a bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in speech communication, with concentrations in public relations and marketing. She also completed nonprofit leadership training through Berks County Community Foundation and La Salle University and participated in United Way Worldwide’s Leaders Engaged in Accelerated Development program.
She serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a founder and member of Emerging Leaders United.