United Way of Caroline County Elects New Officers

The United Way of Caroline County recently elected a new slate of officers to lead the organization for 2023.

Our United Way is led by a volunteer Board of Directors, each of whom has a deep understanding of the needs of our community and a heart for service.

Samantha Parker, President

A native of the Eastern Shore, Samantha Parker is wife, mother, volunteer, and business owner. Born of her passion for helping people, her business Parker Consulting is a project management company with experience focused in strategic planning, grant writing/management, and program design serving government entities, nonprofit, and private groups. While she works with all kinds of organization, Samantha’s business specializes in helping human services organizations. She has been a board member and officer for United Way for more than 8 years, among other community leadership roles. Samantha prioritizes being an active mother and enjoys traveling, reading, yoga, and learning.

“I love serving on the United Way Board because I know that the time I put in is truly helping the whole community,” said Parker. “We give to such a broad cross-section of organizations and I know we are helping a lot of families.”

Susan McCandless, Vice President

Susan recently retired after over thirty years as a professional public educator. She is continuing to support all learners as an ESSR tutor, a Sunday School teacher, and as Director of Education for Morning Star Youth Academy. In addition to the United Way, Susan also gives her time and talent to the boards of directors for Food for Learning and Friends of the Grape (Chesapeake Culinary Center). As an officer, she is excited to promote the mission of Caroline County United Way as we give back to the residents of Caroline.

“I’m excited to be taking on a leadership role,” said McCandless. “As a lifelong educator, I’m especially passionate about the support we provide to organizations that help children and support literacy and I’m looking forward to growing our impact in those areas.”

Lindy Lewis, Treasurer

Lindy works part-time providing behavioral health therapy, hypnotherapy, and consultation at Bridges Behavioral Health and Wellness, as well as the medical office of Dr. Lois Narr. He is an adjunct faculty member at Chamberlain University, Northern Vermont University, the University of Vermont, Walden University, and Wilmington University. Lindy also serves as an accreditation specialist in administration for the Council on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities; accreditation content specialist for the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training; and a grant reviewer for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. He serves as Chair of the Regional Advisory Board for Mid-Shore Mental Health Systems, Inc; Secretary for the Friends of the Caroline County Public Library; and on the advisory board for the Master of Social Work program for Chamberlain University. Lindy holds a BASW from Salisbury University, MSW and PhD from University of Maryland, and post-doctoral course work in applied statistics (certificate) from the University of Pennsylvania.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of United Way,” said Lewis. “I like that we focus on all ages, including serving the elderly, whose needs are often overlooked.”

Sue Simmons, Secretary

Sue served for 37 years as Director of Caroline County Recreation & Parks. She is currently active in local and regional non-profits in a variety of leadership capacities, including as Board President for Caroline County Recreation & Parks and as the Land Resources Committee Chair for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Board of Directors. She is an active Rotarian and past President of the Denton Rotary Club, serves as a volunteer youth tennis instructor with the Caroline Youth Tennis Association, and is a certified mediator through the Baltimore Mediation Center.

“Community service is in my blood,” said Simmons. “Being a part of United Way helps keep me connected to all parts of the community and enables me to have an impact on the big challenges families are facing.”

The United Way of Caroline County’s mission is to support the non-profits meeting the human services needs of our community. For more than 40 years, we have been taking care of our own and helping families get back on their feet and thrive.