James O’Meara is Named United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s Community Campaign Chair

Hartford, Conn. (September 10, 2024) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is pleased to announce that James (Jim) O’Meara has been named Chair of its annual Community Campaign. O’Meara has served as an active leadership volunteer for the organization for more than 10 years and assumes the role of Campaign Chair in addition to serving on the organization’s Board of Directors.    

United Way’s annual Community Campaign is one of the largest efforts in the state to raise funds for health and human services. Contributions to United Way support initiatives that close gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy to eliminate poverty in all its forms.  

“We are thrilled to have Jim lead our Community Campaign as we celebrate a century of service to the 860 region,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Jim has been a champion for our organization and for our community for more than a decade. He is exactly the right person to help us raise critical resources to accelerate progress towards our next phase of community impact.”   

O’Meara is Senior Managing Director of Strategy for Webster Bank and joined the company in 2002 as Director of Marketing and Administration for Commercial Banking. Prior to his current role, he has held leadership positions across Webster Bank, including serving as Chief of Staff to Webster Bank’s Chairman and CEO, Director of Community Banking Strategy, and Head of Enterprise Marketing. 

 “For 100 years, our local United Way has forged partnerships and mobilized resources to address critical, local causes providing a hand up to those in need”, commented O’Meara. “It was our community campaign over 30 years ago that I was first introduced to the power of United Way, and it’s been part of my DNA ever since. I am honored and humbled to serve as Chair for the annual community campaign during the Centennial year.” O’Meara has been a longtime supporter of and volunteer for United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. An avid ambassador of its mission, O’Meara was Webster Bank’s Workplace Giving Campaign Chair in 2012; held the role of Chair of United Way’s Board of Directors from 2017 – 2018; and, currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. 

“Jim cares deeply about offering ways for people to connect with resources and opportunities to make a difference,” added Harrison. “He and his family know firsthand the equitable opportunities United Way provides for everyone to succeed, and his dedication to giving back is unmatched.” 

O’Meara earned both his BA in Business Administration and his MBA from the University of Connecticut. He and his wife Georgia are both proud UConn alumni and lifelong residents of Connecticut where they raised their three (now adult) children.  

To learn more or to make a contribution to United Way’s Community Campaign, visit unitedwayinc.org.  

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut     
United Way closes gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy to make the 860 region an equitable place where everyone succeeds. United Way does this by aligning partners across sectors to end poverty; leveraging information and experience to deepen impact; connecting people with resources and opportunities to make a difference; and, transforming the future with game-changing solutions. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.     

Media Contact: Anyeline Céspedes | United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut | acespedes@unitedwayinc.org | 787.502.0436