When Brandi VanAntwerp joined United Way of the Ozarks (UWO) in June 2024, she brought her passion for smart solutions that help children reach their full potential and lead people out of poverty. Here, she shares the purpose and heart driving her and the organization.
You moved into the president/CEO role in 2024 on July 1, after joining UWO as president-elect in June. What did you notice first?

Ned Reynolds, Brandi VanAntwerp and Greg Burris broadcast live from Day of Caring 2024
I actually jumped in before my first day! I joined the fun for Day of Caring on June 13, then officially came onboard June 17. There was such a wide cross-section of people at the event breakfast, all happy to be there. I even got to join sports legend Ned Reynolds on his baseball radio broadcast. It was very fun. Everyone was so welcoming, especially my predecessor, Greg Burris.
It was exciting when my official start came. We were getting ready to announce recipients of $821,000 in grants to fund 20 local programs that champion children and provide pathways out of poverty. The Community Investment Committee had finished its work to select grantees, the board had approved their recommendations and we were ready to go. I enjoyed immediately partnering with a new array of local nonprofits. It was a whirlwind, in the best way.
This isn’t your first encounter with UWO. You volunteered as a community investment panelist and also applied for grants when you were with a local nonprofit agency. How do you pull together all of these perspectives?
It’s really helpful to have the variety of experience and perspectives. And to be living proof that there are many ways to serve the same goal – to help strengthen our community by enabling our neighbors to improve their lives and the lives of their families, today and for the future.
We’re incredibly more effective when we understand what it takes to move from idea to impact, together. I’m happy to have a front row seat to watch change happen, see UWO open doors, mobilize collaborators and accelerate that change.
Advocacy for children has been important in your personal and professional life. How do you see UWO fitting into your passion?

Brandi VanAntwerp presenting CASA of Southwest Missouri with United Way Outstanding Community Service Award
That’s easy! Championing children is one of our defining focus areas at UWO. All of the programs we fund are designed to answer this call or to provide pathways out of poverty. In fact, many of them do both. So I feel right at home with our purpose.
Every child deserves all we can give to help them succeed, and I’m willing to do my part. As a child, I thought I would help by being a family attorney. Instead, my path has been to be a parent and a foster parent, lead a nonprofit focused on supporting foster children and serve as an advocate for effective, high-quality public education. And now I’m at UWO. The work continues to support youth.
Imagine there’s someone who isn’t familiar with UWO. What do you want them to know?
First of all, that we’re both old and new! In 2025, we’ll have been operating in the Ozarks for 95 years. All of that time, regardless of our name and activity of the day, we have done the same thing – mobilize our community so all can thrive.
Some of our work is easy to see. Thousands of volunteers come together through UWO’s Day of Caring and have poured millions of dollars’ worth of work into community nonprofits over 32 years. I see those t-shirts when I’m out and about all year long!

Brandi VanAntwerp and UWO advocate Bill Hennessey of Mercy Hospital
Other UWO work happens in quieter ways. Every year, hundreds of individuals and organizations raise money for our Community Investment Fund so we can invest in multiple local programs run by local nonprofits. Thousands of neighbors receive services, thanks to those donations.
We also collaborate with governments, businesses and nonprofits to identify and address new needs and nurture new solutions. Then, we help launch those new ideas into the community. People are still surprised to hear that UWO was in on the ground floor of the Community Focus Report, now 20 years old, and incubated Community Partnership of the Ozarks.
I know that’s a lot! But we live by the thought that “United is the way!”