Metro United Way (MUW) proudly announces Kevin Nolan, President and CEO of GE Appliances, a Haier company, as the 2020 Community Investment Chair. As such, Nolan will lead the organization’s efforts to create equitable, meaningful and lasting change throughout Greater Louisville.
Amidst the recent events unfolding in the city and across the nation, Metro United Way remains committed to creating equitable outcomes for all. For decades, the organization has prioritized addressing the gaps that exist in education, income, health, housing, and racial equity across the region.
With advocacy as a longstanding pillar of its work, Metro United Way has been a consistent voice and its efforts to address persistent and underlying racism, prejudice, and privilege are more important now than ever before. As the Community Investment Chair, Nolan will help drive these efforts to create systemic change in the Greater Louisville area.
Providing crucial resources
At Metro United Way, we envision Greater Louisville as a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive"
“At Metro United Way, we envision Greater Louisville as a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, but we can only achieve this vision if we all, together, strive towards equity,” said MUW President and CEO Theresa Reno-Weber. “For decades, MUW has driven impact throughout the community by providing crucial resources to areas of need; today, it is imperative that we focus on empowering people and supporting families to transform communities for years to come. I am confident that Kevin is the ideal partner to lead these efforts.”
A pioneer of innovation in Louisville, Nolan is the President and CEO of GE Appliances, a Haier Company. A seasoned engineer, he holds 29 patent awards and a 30-year career at GEA, including 10 years as GE Appliances’ Chief Technology Officer.
Home appliances co-creation community
He took innovation to a new level when he conceived and cofounded FirstBuild, the Corporate maker’s space in the world
He took innovation to a new level when he conceived and cofounded FirstBuild, the Corporate maker’s space in the world and global co-creation community that harnesses the power of the maker movement to change the way home appliances are conceived, designed and manufactured.
Nolan also spent decades serving community organizations like the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the Louisville Science Center, the Louisville Regional Science Fair and WaterStep. As President and CEO of GE Appliances, he’s also actively involved in how the company deploys its community giving resources to support local nonprofits and educational entities that are focused on inclusion and diversity, building stronger communities and connecting people with the resources they need to be successful.
Community investment chair
“I appreciate the opportunity to work with Theresa, Metro United Way, nonprofit organizations and business leaders from across the region as this year’s community investment chair,” said Nolan. “Now more than ever, it is imperative that our community comes together to generate positive change. People are counting on us, and we are going to help drive these efforts together. I know Louisville will rise to the occasion and show that this is a community that believes in transformation and embraces change.”
As on the fight for social justice continues, so does the battle against the coronavirus. MUW remains committed to prioritizing and addressing the community’s greatest needs. The current crisis has only amplified the gaps apparent within the community; thus, future efforts will also be directed towards repairing the damage inflicted by COVID-19 while continuing to address the significant and persistent gaps.