OFFICE TEAM.
President and CEO: Charles Anderson MSW, MBA
Mr. Charles Anderson assumed the role of President/CEO of United Way Pasco County in January of 2019. He has 43 years of United Way leadership experience. Mr. Anderson has served as the President/CEO at both United Way of the National Capital Region in Washington D.C. and United Way of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has also served as United Way President/CEO in Wilmington, Delaware; Flint, Michigan; York, Pennsylvania and Meriden, Connecticut.
Immediately prior to joining the Pasco community Mr. Anderson served for four years as the District Director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice for Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties where he directed programs and services related to mental health, senior support, child education, human trafficking and more.
Since joining United Way of Pasco County Mr. Anderson has been very engaged in a variety of issues affecting the people and families in Pasco County. Mr. Anderson is passionate about establishing programs and solutions to combat human trafficking, substance abuse, and mental health to name a few. As a longtime advocate for human trafficking he is determined to see more housing options, intensive case work programs, legal services, and health services offered to survivors. Currently Mr. Anderson is working with various community leaders to overcome barriers and begin to implement solutions to these complex issues.
Mr. Anderson is a member of Leadership Pasco’s Class of 2020 and President of the Rotary Club of New Port Richey. He has also served on several Boards and committees including Vincent Academy Adventure Coast Board of Directors, Pasco County Complete Count Committee, Pasco County Community Development Block Grant Review Committee and the Continuum of Care Leadership Council.
Mr. Anderson is a Connecticut native and father of four daughters. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Delaware.
CharlesA@unitedwaypasco.org
Vice President: Laura Knight
Laura Knight serves as Vice President for the United Way of Pasco County, overseeing all fundraising and managing relationships with community partners. Since joining in 2019, Laura has been pivotal in the Community Impact Grant allocation process and the development of the agency’s Homeless Prevention and Human Trafficking programs. She also helped create and execute a $2.4 million COVID-19 relief program to assist struggling businesses and residents.
Before joining United Way, Laura was the Marketing Coordinator for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, where she managed fundraising efforts including events, marketing, and presentations. She also served as the Assistant Director of Marketing and Business Development for Simon Property Group, handling corporate branding.
Laura holds degrees in Marketing and Operations Management from Florida Gulf Coast University. In her free time, she enjoys giving back to the community. Laura serves on the Board of Leadership Pasco and was Vice President of her class in 2022. She is the Immediate Past President of her university’s Alumni Tampa Bay Chapter and a council member for the Arthritis Foundation’s Tampa Chapter, advocating for children with autoimmune diseases. Laura is an avid member of the New Port Richey Rotary Club.
laurak@unitedwaypasco.org
Director of Finance: Rosanna Medrano
With over eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Rosanna Medrano has dedicated her career to managing the accounting side of various organizations. Currently, she is a key team member at United Way, where she oversees financial operations, including overhead revenue and expenses, federal and local grant management, and United Way-raised funding toward community partners. She ensures accurate reporting and financial management.
Prior to joining United Way, Rosanna worked at a nonprofit organization in New York City focused on senior services, where her primary responsibilities included grant management and financial oversight. Her extensive experience in handling grants has equipped her with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of nonprofit funding mechanisms.
Rosanna holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Berkeley College, where she developed a strong foundation in financial management and organizational skills. Passionate about making a positive impact, Rosanna is committed to supporting the financial health and sustainability of United Way of Pasco County.
RosannaM@unitedwaypasco.org
Fighting Human Trafficking Program Manager: Benjamin Ortberg
Benjamin Ortberg has a long history of helping those affected by domestic violence and human trafficking. He began his professional career in military service in the Army and Airforce. Then during his 15 years in law enforcement, he was often the first point of contact for survivors. After these careers, Ben worked as a Victim Advocate, where he accompanied survivors to court hearings, assisted them through the legal process, and provided critical resources and support.
In 2021, Ben joined United Way to develop and operate the Fighting Human Trafficking Program. Initially estimated to assist 12 survivors over three years, the program has grown significantly, serving over 215 survivors with emergency hotel stays, transitional housing, and comprehensive support services. Benjamin helped acquire millions of dollars in funding for this cause. He manages functions such as housing placement and maintenance, casework with the clients, and human trafficking data analysis with doctorate students from University of South Florida’s TIP Lab.
Ben holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is a Nationally Credentialed Advanced Level Advocate with the Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist designation through the National Advocate Credentialing Program. Ben is a member of the Mel Greene Institute to Combat Human Trafficking and the Tampa Bay Safe Alliance.
bortberg@unitedwaypasco.org
Community Impact and Allocations Manager: Megan Hoben
Megan Hoben brings a wealth of experience to United Way, with 14 years of dedicated service in higher education within Pasco County. Her career is distinguished by her expertise in servant leadership, coaching, strategic planning, financial management, and process improvement.
A proud graduate of the University of Florida, Megan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She leverages her profound understanding of supply and demand to make a significant impact in the nonprofit sector. Her passion for education, community development, and the West Central Florida region drives her impactful work at United Way.
At United Way, Megan has spearheaded the expansion of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program’s outreach efforts. She manages a network of over 145 tax advisor volunteers and has greatly enhanced the program’s visibility through various media channels. Last year, the VITA Program successfully completed over 4,600 tax returns at no cost to Pasco County residents, generating $4.8 million in returns for the community.
Additionally, Megan oversees the Community Impact Grant Allocations process, working with more than 65 nonprofits to manage applications and distribute funding. She also directs the Emergency Food & Shelter Program’s FEMA funding allocation, channeling over $180,000 in aid to local agencies in Pasco County.
meganh@unitedwaypasco.org
Executive Assistant: Kimberly Kirk
Formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kimberly Kirk has worked in the education and administration field for over twenty-five years, as well as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry in Kalamazoo, MI. Upon moving to Georgia, Kimberly changed her profession to the field of education and administration, beginning at Emory University in the Human Resources Department as an Administrative Assistant in Atlanta, GA. She then served as the Campus Operations Coordinator at The University of Phoenix in Alpharetta, GA. After retiring, Kimberly relocated to Tampa, FL. After a brief retirement, she is presently serving as the Executive Assistant to the President/CEO of the Pasco County United Way in Land O’Lakes, Florida. Kimberly also handles the distribution of health and human service information and resources from United Way to the public who call or email our office. She can currently be reached at executiveassistant@unitedwaypasco.org.
Victim Advocate: Lynzie Thompson
Lynzie Thompson is the new Victim Advocate for United Way's Fighting Human Trafficking Program. Born and raised in Pasco County, Lynzie brings four years of experience in crisis intervention and victim services within the non-profit sector. Credentialed through the National Advocate Credentialing Program, she is certified in working with victims of sex crimes and human trafficking, and has specialized training to support vulnerable populations, including ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities. Lynzie is dedicated to providing empowerment-based advocacy, safety planning, supportive counseling, and crisis intervention for program participants. She coordinates participant transportation, emergency accommodations, and community resource referrals, while maintaining meticulous records for statistical reporting. Lynzie will earn her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida this Fall.
Assistant Campaign Director: Marissa Kurt
Originally from Pinellas County, FL, Marissa Kurt, M.A. in Communication & Public Relations, brings four years of full-time nonprofit experience to her role as Assistant Campaign Director. In Philadelphia, she played a pivotal role at the Uncommon Individual Foundation, forging relationships with news organizations and educational institutions, writing journal pieces, designing an internship program, mentoring startups, coordinating events, and producing video series. Marissa also has corporate experience helping immigrants secure visas and software development positions at companies like Nike and Microsoft. She has worked in the Vatican's communications department in Rome and with an international diplomacy club in Tokyo, Japan. At United Way, Marissa grows relationships with 50+ businesses in the community to maximize giving and provide informative presentations. Additionally, she creates marketing materials to drive positive change, writes grants, and implements community service projects such as providing meals survivors of human trafficking and their children.