Ronald Frick, who has served as CEO of the United Way of North Central Pennsylvania (UWNCPA) for the past eight years is retiring as head of the non-profit according to news released this week.

Following Frick’s retirement, Carolyn A. Hawk will assume the role of President & CEO later this year. Hawk, who currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of UWNCPA’s Community Impact Committee, brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, early childhood education, and community collaboration, according to the news release.

In her new role, she will continue advancing UWNCPA’s mission of strengthening local partnerships and supporting community well-being across Lycoming, Tioga, and Sullivan counties., deepen community partnerships, and ensure the organization’s financial sustainability as it continues its work to drive systemic change throughout Lycoming, Tioga, and Sullivan counties.

Hawk played a central role in designing and launching UWNCPA’s 2025-2026 Innovation Grant. She helped define the grant’s goals — not just to fund programs, but to seed bold, creative ideas aimed at closing service gaps, especially for ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) households. She also worked closely with community stakeholders to ensure the grant process was transparent, accessible, and aligned with UWNCPA’s strategic impact areas: healthy communities, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.

“Thanks to her leadership, the program will provide grants of up to $25,000 per recipient, giving nonprofits a significant opportunity to pilot transformative work,” the news release stated.

She currently serves as Director of STEP Head Start in Williamsport, where she provides strategic oversight and leadership for early learning programs. Before that, she served as Vice President of Funding and Community Relations for UWNCPA (then Lycoming County United Way), where she managed program allocations and built strong relationships with human service agencies across the region.

She has held leadership roles at YMCA Child Care Services and Lycoming Child Care Services. A respected community leader, Hawk currently serves on several local boards and committees, including the Williamsport Area School District’s Child Care Advisory Board, the Lycoming Career and Technology Center, and Leadership Lycoming. Hawk holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lycoming College and has earned several early education certifications. She was nominated by the United Way as a YWCA Woman of Excellence in 2017.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve United Way in this capacity. Having worked alongside so many community partners and volunteers over the years, I look forward to continuing the important work that Ron and the United Way team have advanced,” Hawk said.

“Carolyn brings both heart and experience to this role. Her deep roots in the community, combined with her leadership acumen and unwavering dedication to service, make her the ideal choice to guide the United Way into its next chapter,” stated

Patti Jackson-Gehris, immediate past Board Chair.

“The Board is thrilled to welcome Carolyn to this leadership role. Her compassion and commitment to community service make her well-suited to guide the organization forward. At the same time, we are deeply thankful for Ron’s many years of steadfast leadership. His legacy will be felt across the region for decades to come,” Edmonds added.

Frick’s leadership and volunteer service with the organization have spanned more than four decades beginning in 1984 as a volunteer, and he has remained a dedicated servant-leader ever since. In 2017, he was appointed CEO, bringing with him decades of experience in nonprofit and community work.

Over the past eight years, his tenure has been marked by significant organizational milestones including stewarding A Century of Service as an organization in 2022; establishing LIVE UNITED in Music, which will be held for the fifth time this year; overseeing the organization’s name change to United Way of North Central Pennsylvania, reflecting its impact across Lycoming, Tioga, and Sullivan counties; and strengthening UWNCPA’s commitment to four core impact areas — healthy communities, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.

Frick also Guided the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring programs and partner agencies continued to serve vulnerable households, especially those in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population; and broadened partnerships with agencies, donors, and volunteers, while advancing new initiatives like the Innovation Grant Program to spark creative solutions to community needs.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve our United Way and the community I love. I am proud of the work we have accomplished together — from strengthening families and agencies to addressing some of our region’s most significant challenges. United Way’s mission is bigger than any one person — I’m deeply grateful for the colleagues, volunteers, and community partners who have made this work meaningful for so many years., and I leave with confidence knowing this work will continue under strong leadership,” Frick said.

“Ron’s impact on our organization and community cannot be overstated. His humility, dedication, and vision have shaped the United Way into a more collaborative, resilient, and forward-looking organization. Generations to come will benefit from his leadership,” said Chip Edmonds, UWNCPA’s board chair.

UWNCPA will honor Frick’s retirement and formally welcome Hawk at its Annual Dinner on Oct. 14. The event will serve as both a celebration of Frick’s extraordinary service and an introduction of Hawk as the organization’s next leader.