The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County has a new executive director. Amy Rohler, currently executive director for Community Helping Hands, will succeed Tory Irgang, who is leaving the organization to serve as executive director for the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

“We are thrilled to announce that Amy will serve as the next leader for our United Way,” said Christopher Colburn, board president. “When Tory announced her departure, our board began a search process. I would like to thank Tom Schmidt for leading the search committee during the last two months.

“Amy brings tremendous skills that will take United Way in positive directions and advance the priorities of our Board and community.”

Rohler has served as the executive director for Community Helping Hands since 2009. In her time there, the organization grew from a thrift store meeting emergency clothing and household needs to include a family center, and more recently, relationship-based workforce development.

“I am excited for the opportunity to join the team at United Way of Southern Chautauqua County,” Rohler said. “The staff is terrific and there are dozens of committed volunteers who are working in alignment around the Board’s vision. I am eager to join them, and all the incredible community partners and projects that are funded through United Way.”

Rohler moved to Jamestown in 2009 from New York City, where she and her husband, the Rev. Adam Rohler (First Covenant Church) had co-pastored a church in the United Nations neighborhood on the East side. She holds degrees from Seattle Pacific University, Yale Divinity School and North Park Theologiclal Seminary.

She is an active volunteer at First Covenant Church, and most recently, was the graduation speaker at Southwestern High School.

Rohler will spend the next several weeks transitioning out of her role at Community Helping Hands, and plans to begin at the United Way sometime in mid November.

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County provides funding to 25 community partners to support 41 local programs. Funding is generated during an annual campaign that engages individuals, companies and foundations in charitable donations.

Funding decisions are focused in four key areas: families are self-sufficient, everyone is ready to work, young people succeed in school, and those in need can find help. For more information about United Way or the 2017 Campaign, call them at 483-1561, visit them at www.uwayscc.org, check them out on Facebook: United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, or follow them on Twitter: UWayofSoChautCounty@uwayscc.

With the upcoming move, Rohler resigned as executive director of Community Helping Hands

“We are thrilled for Amy, and know she will do an excellent work at the United Way,” said board chairperson Matt Slaven. “Amy has been an incredible asset here at Community Helping Hands, and we’ve been blessed to have her lead the staff and organization for the last eight years. Her commitment and passion for community development is unmistakeable.”