Rice County Area United Way Announces Leadership Transition
(Dec. 4, 2024) – The Rice County Area United Way Board of Directors is pleased to announce a change in leadership as Elizabeth Child, the organization’s current Executive Director, prepares to retire, and Laura Riehle-Merrill steps into the role beginning February 2025.
Elizabeth Child has led the Rice County Area United Way with distinction, first as the Executive Director of the Northfield Area United Way (2014–2017) and more recently as the Executive Director of the Rice County Area United Way since 2021.
During her tenure, Elizabeth championed literacy and community engagement through initiatives including the opening of a nonprofit bookstore, Books on Central, launched in Faribault in 2023, and the annual Day of Caring, which she introduced three years ago to connect volunteers with local projects that enhance the quality of life across the county. Her leadership extended to early childhood education, as demonstrated by the success of the inaugural Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library fundraiser last year, an event set to return on January 24, 2025. Furthermore, Elizabeth oversaw the introduction of microgrants, now in their third year, in partnership with Rebound Partners, to address urgent needs and support innovative programming.
In addition to these initiatives, Elizabeth’s tenure was marked by raising and distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to nonprofits, ensuring that Rice County’s greatest needs were met with care and creativity. “It has been a joy to be part of a collaborative network of dedicated, highly strategic nonprofits that are improving lives in our local communities,” she said.
Succeeding Elizabeth is Laura Riehle-Merrill (pictured above), a seasoned leader with a proven track record in community engagement, leadership, and strategic planning. Laura’s extensive career includes serving at Carleton College for 20 years, first as Director of Community Engagement and most recently as Assistant Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator. Laura brings years of experience in community building and community-focused programming, including fundraising for local nonprofits and creating opportunities to bridge the opportunity gap for underserved populations.
Laura said, “I am thrilled to be the next Executive Director of the Rice Country Area United Way and to have the opportunity to serve the community that has been my home for over 20 years. I look forward to building on the strong foundation built by Elizabeth and the RCAUW board in order to support our dedicated, hardworking community partners in their important work.”
About Rice County Area United Way
For nearly 70 years, Rice County Area United Way has been mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good. The organization strengthens the building blocks for self-sufficiency and a good quality of life through education, health and financial stability. In 2019, Rice County Area United Way was formed from the merger of United Way of Faribault and Northfield Area United Way.