Julie Ehrman has recently been named chair of the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota’s Koochiching County Advisory Board. 

In this role, Ehrman will lead the advisory board during annual funding allocation, event planning and programming expansion. She also serves as a member of the organization’s overall board of directors, providing governance, advocacy and support to UWNEMN. 

Ehrman is the Personnel Development Coordinator at Boise Inc. and holds a bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University in social work.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role as I continue to be a part of the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota family,” Ehrman said. “I take this leadership position very seriously and will do my best to address the needs in our community.”

Shelley Valentini, executive director of UWNEMN, said, “We at UWNEMN are so grateful to have Julie at the helm in Koochiching County. Julie’s drive and commitment are inspiring and her leadership abilities are terrific. We feel poised and ready to make a deeper, more widespread impact on the lives of Koochiching County residents, both through our funded agencies and our own initiatives.”

Formerly only a fund raising organization for other nonprofit agencies, the UWNEMN has adopted a community impact platform and implements its own programs. 

Imagination Library provides free books each month to children ages 0-5 mailed directly to their homes. Smiles Across Minnesota provides preventative and restorative dental care to hundreds of Koochiching County children each year. 

Ehrman has recently been involved with supporting and advocating for the newest effort of United Way of Northeastern Minnesota. This fall, UWNEMN will pilot the Buddy Backpack Program in International Falls schools; with plans to expand service throughout Koochiching County. 

The program will provide backpacks filled with nutritious, child-friendly, non-perishable food each Friday or holiday break from school to children most at risk of being hungry over the weekends. 

“We are thrilled to be able to offer buddy backpacks to the children most in need in International Falls. Hunger is something that is not always seen, but cannot be ignored. Helping to provide meals to our children will allow them to return to school on Mondays nourished and ready to learn,” said Ehrman.

Also to increase focus on the Koochiching County service territory, UWNEMN hired new Elizabeth Johnson, manager of development and communications. She serves as the dedicated staff member for the area. 

Johnson is a graduate of Chisholm High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Hamline University. She said she is thrilled to be working with the United Way to further its mission and is excited to focus on the communities within the county. 

Ehrman and the advisory board will work closely with Johnson on implementing buddy backpacks, assessing the community need and fund raising efforts in Koochiching County.

Currently, the committee is busy planning for the upcoming Kooch County Cruise Sept. 8. Proceeds from this year’s motorcycle and classic car event will benefit the start-up of buddy backpacks. 

The advisory board will also soon begin planning for the Power of the Purse event, to be held in November.