Leslie Salling
President & ceo
423-220-1238 | Email Leslie
Leslie joined United Way of East TN Highlands midway through 2019 as the Director of Resource Development and was elevated to President & CEO in October of 2020.
Prior to United Way, Leslie spent three years as a Director of Development for the ETSU Foundation, as well as six years at CASA of Northeast TN with the final four years as the Executive Director (2012-2016). She is a graduate of the Unicoi County Leadership Program, and currently the co-chair of the Johnson City Washington County Leadership Program. Leslie holds a degree in Communications Arts/Journalism and a Master’s of Public Administration with a specialty in Nonprofit Management. Growing up in the military, she is proud to call Northeast Tennessee home.
Kimberly GANTT
Finance Director
Kimberly Gantt, Finance Director at UW of ETNH, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Tusculum University and boasts over a decade of financial expertise, gained through roles such as a Commercial Collections Specialist and Credit Specialist at Citibank. Proficient in communication, data entry, accounting, and human resource management, Kimberly resides in Johnson City, TN, and is committed to a healthy life for her family, with aspirations for a Master’s degree. She’s deeply connected to the Tri-Cities region, her lifelong home, and her remarkable journey, including overcoming challenges in foster care and returning to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree, reflects her unwavering determination and resilience. Kimberly takes immense pride in being part of the 3-4% of foster care youth who achieved a four-year degree, a testament to her remarkable achievements.
Lydiah Merritt
Marketing Director
Lydiah is a creative expert with a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design and an Associate’s in Commercial Photography, and a strong Fine Arts background. Previously, she co-founded the Tri-Cities Creative Marketing Meetup, served as the Marketing Manager at Foundersforge Entrepreneurial Center, and organized various pop-up and community events in Johnson City.
Lydiah specializes in crafting custom marketing strategies and iconic branding. Her love for vintage design and traditional print techniques, particularly letterpress, adds a timeless quality to her work. Beyond her career, she enjoys DIY projects, tea, and gardening, and networking with fellow change-makers.
Abraham Mcintyre
community impact coordinator
423-220-1235 | Email Abraham
Abraham has spent the last 20+ years living out his passion to serve others by connecting local and international needs with creative and available resources. His work has included critical home repair in Appalachia, aviation disaster response in the Caribbean, and financial coaching in East Tennessee. He has spent countless hours sharing stories of how real impact occurs when and where a person’s talents intersect the needs of the world, and he is excited to continue this work with United Way of East Tennessee Highlands.
He loves being outside, riding his bike(s), and creating opportunities for others to enjoy the great outdoors. He and his wife, Dr. Leigh Johnson (McIntyre), love raising their two adventurous sons in East Tennessee.
kim schlager
community outreach coordinator
423-543-6975 | Email Kim
Originally from Atlanta, Kim fell in love with the mountains and close-knit community of Northeast Tennessee. A recent graduate of ETSU with a BA in English, her summers were spent working at Doe River Gorge, where she came into the role of Teen Leadership Coordinator. Her role of organizing, training, and volunteering strengthened her desire to see the community thrive. While in college she helped manage The Coffee Company in Elizabethton, where she deepened her ties to the community. She is looking forward to further strengthen these relationships throughout Carter County.
She loves hiking and camping with her husband and two dogs. Together, they have a desire to positively impact their community.
Taylor BuchanAn
Data Entry Specialist & Executive Assistant
Taylor first joined our team as a volunteer during the summer of 2022 and has continued her dedicated service ever since. Hailing from Nashville, she developed a deep appreciation for the natural splendor of East Tennessee during her college years, where she pursued a degree in International Affairs from ETSU. Taylor has a passion for reading, enjoys attending concerts, and relishes spending her leisure time in the great outdoors.