United Way Suncoast has filled its newly created chief operating officer position. Carrie Zeisse joins the Suncoast chapter from a similar post at the United Way of Greater Portland in Maine.
Zeisse will oversee administration, finance, operations and technology departments and work with the organization’s board of directors to collaborate on the group’s goal of ensuring it meets the five-year strategic plan initiated to break the generational cycle of poverty.
“Having someone of Zeisse’s professional background, talent and overall skill set at United Way Suncoast is an amazing asset,” said Suzanne McCormick, president and CEO of United Way Suncoast. “Her depth of experience and breadth of knowledge will only add to the acceleration of our organization’s impactful work in the community.”
Zeisse previously served five years as vice president of business development and finance for the Boston Harbor Island Alliance. In that capacity Zeisse worked with government from the local level all the way to the national level to foster development of one of the country’s most unique National Parks partnerships.
Zeisse became adept at fundraising, business planning, major capital projects and even revitalization efforts.
Zeisse also served as the director of marketing and strategy for the national programs at the Trust for Public Land.
Zeisse earned a Master’s of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management. She obtained a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Maine College of Art. Zeiss has spent more than 10 years working in the social impact sector. She is from Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
Zeisse is not replacing anyone at Suncoast United Way because her position is new. It was created earlier this summer when the organization was restructured. They eliminated the chief financial officer position formerly held by Susan Casper.
