United Way of Delaware has a new board chair: Rick Deadwyler

United Way of Delaware has taken a large role in local nonprofit projects lately, including Donate Delaware and DoMore24, on top of its own mission to provide Delawareans with health support, education and financial security.

Now, the org has a new board chair, as John D’Agostino wraps up his three-year term for the period of 2018 to 2021.

The newly elected chair is Rick Deadwyler, U.S. East Region government and industry affairs leader at Wilmington-based Corteva Agriscience — a key corporate supporter of theWilmington Kitchen Collective incubator — as well as chairing the company’s Corteva Grows initiative and other corporate affairs engagement efforts in the Greater Delaware Valley and Delmarva.

Before working for Corteva, Deadwyler had executive and managerial roles with the Delaware Community Foundation, University of Delaware, DuPont and Delaware River and Bay Authority. He earned his undergraduate degree from UD and a master’s in educational leadership and administration from Wilmington University.

“Taking on this leadership role with United Way of Delaware is truly a high honor,” Deadwyler said in a statement. “After serving in the Delaware community for over 30 years, I’ve witnessed the extraordinary impact of the United Way in our communities across the state and I look forward to this leadership role with this incredible team to help guide the organization’s continued engagement and impact.”

A nonprofit’s board chair is the executive leader of its board of directors, which has the final say on the organization’s overall strategy, as well as hiring and firing authority for the executive staff.

Michelle A. Taylor, president and CEO of United Way of Delaware, noted Deadwyler’s forthcoming role in the org’s ongoing Living United 2024 “strategic journey.”

“Despite COVID and other challenges, that journey continues today,” she said. “I cannot think of a person more qualified than Rick Deadwyler to take on the enormous challenge of helping lead that journey. Rick is a respected leader whose years of corporate and community service in Delaware have prepared him well for this role. Along with our many agency partners, donors, volunteers and of course our staff, I look forward to collaborating with Rick to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans.”