Biography:
Michael Ramos became President & CEO of United Way of Tompkins County in May 2023. His career has been inspired by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of Beloved Community and the challenge he posed to confront the “triplets” of racism, poverty, and militarism. During his many years in Oakland and Seattle, he educated, advocated, and organized to address homelessness, promote affordable housing, secure living wages, build community alliances, and uphold and affirm immigrant rights. He served as Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle for 15 years, where he was the first lay and first Latinx director in its 100 year-plus history. He most recently served on the Regional Homelessness Authority Implementation Board, the Affordable Housing Committee, and the Pandemic and Racism Community Advisory Group (in King County, Washington), as well as serving as Board President of Puget Sound Sage. He is a native of New York City. He is married to Donna and has two adult daughters. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Seattle University, having written on the theme of recent immigrant Salvadoran women and their experience seeking to thrive.
Story of Why UWTC:
United Way is that movement that accompanies, convenes and facilitates the ability of all people to thrive. All people have a fundamental dignity and deserve a place at the table of economic security. United Way is the kind of organization that is set up precisely for the emergency situations my family experienced growing up (through UW 211 Alice). When my family was searching for how to pay the rent after my father lost his job, a community organization “repaired the breach” and provided rental assistance needed. Our 211 Alice program meets these kinds of needs today. United Way is the place where, together with community members, service providers, advocates, community organizations, businesses, and people of generosity and care, resources are organized to share for collective impact and power for transformation. United Way is people, who in listening, learning, acting, reflecting, and celebrating together can address economic injustice and build beloved community.