- Four new Board Members were elected for a three-year term ending June 30, 2029.
- Twelve experienced Board Members were re-elected for a three-year term ending June 30, 2029.
- Nisha Verma of Dorsey & Whitney LLP was elected to a one-year officer term as Board Secretary.
Irvine, CA (September 14, 2026) — Orange County United Way today announced the results of its recent Board of Directors elections, including four new members, 12 re-elected members, and the appointment of one new board officer.
“We are thrilled to welcome these new Board Members and incorporate their diverse experience and fresh enthusiasm into our work,” said Susan B. Parks, President and CEO of Orange County United Way. “They will be an asset as we continue in our mission to unite Orange County to improve lives today and for generations to come.”
Board officers and members, as detailed below, will immediately begin supporting Orange County United Way’s key initiatives and service, including United to End Homelessness, United for Student Success, United for Financial Security, and 2-1-1 Orange County.
Newly elected officer who will serve a one-year term ending June 30, 2027:
- Secretary – Nisha Verma, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Additional officers of the board include:
- Chair – Lawrence R. Armstrong, Ware Malcomb
- Vice Chair – Shirin Behzadi, Shirin Behzadi, LLC
- Treasurer – Hugh Connors, BMO (retired)
Newly elected board members who will serve a three-year term, through June 30,2029, include:
- Dawn Behnke, Pacific Life
- Matthew Fechtman, Ingram Micro Inc.
- Natasha Mata, Wells Fargo Bank
- J. Steven Roush, Summit Healthcare REIT
In addition, 12 experienced Orange County United Way Board Members were re-elected to serve an additional three-year term, through June 30, 2029. Re-elected Board Members include:
- M. Mahboob Akhter, Ascend Tools, Inc.
- Lawrence R. Armstrong, Ware Malcomb
- Shirin Behzadi, Shirin Behzadi, LLC
- Mark Clemens, KPMG LLP
- Mary A. Garrett, Ernst & Young LLP
- Jarrod Ingle, PNC Bank
- James W. Johnson, Jr., PepsiCo Foods North America
- Kenneth Lickel, Retired – Alcon Laboratories
- Amy Mathieson, FirstService Residential
- Henry Mendoza, MM & Company, LLP
- Robbin Narike Preciado, Flagstar
- Sridhar Sundaram, California State University, Fullerton
Images and biographies of the four new Board members are included on the following pages.
For more information about Orange County United Way, its leadership team, and how to get involved, please visit UnitedWayOC.org.
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY
Orange County United Way mobilizes our community to create brighter futures for all, today and for generations to come.
True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our community, United Way is there. Through advocacy, collaboration, and innovative programming, our work is comprehensive and action-oriented, effectively addressing our county’s unique challenges.
From strengthening local resilience to expanding youth opportunity, financial stability, and access to stable housing, we’re working toward an Orange County where everyone has the support they need to reach their full potential.
To learn more, visit UnitedWayOC.org.
Orange County United Way is a stand-alone, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Media Contact: Heidi Pallares, [email protected], (949) 285-7278
Orange County United Way New Board Member Biographies for Terms Ending June 30, 2029
DAWN BEHNKE is the Executive Vice President of the Consumer Markets Division of Pacific Life Insurance Company. As the head of the division, Behnke is responsible for the growth and profitability of the division, as well as the continued expansion efforts in core and new markets. She joined Pacific Life in 2001, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Management Science from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Lehigh University. She was elected in February 2026 to Orange County United Way’s Board of Directors, is a co-chair of Orange County United Way’s Women United affinity group, and is a Life Insurance Council Board Member for City of Hope.
MATTHEW FECHTMAN is the Vice President & Associate General Counsel at U.S.
Ingram Micro Inc. He has been with the company since 2006. In 2024, he was promoted to his current role in which he oversees all legal matters for Ingram Micro’s United States business. Fechtman received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Virginia and received his J.D. from the University of Illinois. Fechtman is an active member of Surfrider Foundation and enjoys traveling, running, skiing and surfing.
NATASHA MATA is the Senior Vice President Regional Bank Executive at Wells Fargo & Company for the Orange County-Inland Empire Region. A 34-year financial services veteran and California native, Mata began her career with Wells Fargo in 1996. Before assuming her current leadership role, she served as Region Bank Executive for the San Diego Region since 2024. Deeply passionate about the communities she serves, Natasha has been on the Boards of United Way, Sutter Health Medical Center, and Long Beach Economic Partnership Forum. She has volunteered with organizations including food banks and Ronald McDonald House.
J. STEVEN ROUSH retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2007 after 39 years. Over his career, Roush has experience in a diverse number of industries ranging from manufacturing to nonprofits and retail, with a concentration in real estate, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. He has a background in dealing with both private and public company Board of Directors. For the last 19 years, Steve has served on a variety of public, private, and nonprofit Boards. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art. He is a member of the Extended Leadership team for the American Heart Association-Orange County and is a member of the Corporate Cabinet for Orange County United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society.
