ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Patricia Fierro has worked with several non-profits, and now, she will be heading up an organization that provides much funding and help for those agencies.
Fierro was recently hired as the new executive director of Seward County United Way, and she comes to her new job with a wealth of experience in non-profit work.
Fierro moved to Liberal in 2021 and began working at Genesis Family Health as a community health worker supervisor, and until recently, she was working with the Immunize Kansas Coalition and as the coordinator of the local Diversidad Latina group.
In 2024, Fierro began another non-profit, Bienestar Total, to help put on events in the community, and now as the new SCUW director, she has big plans for more community events as well.
“I have a lot of plans,” she said. “I have to first get them approved through the board so we can start announcing. There will be an activity each month. I’m wanting to reestablish those partnerships, build the trust in the community and go full force and make this a great year.”
Due to needing to get fundraising projects approved by her board, Fierro said those projects could not be announced at this time, but she promised many events in which the community could participate.
Fierro said her biggest strengths are fundraising and working in the community.
“I love helping overall, and it’s something I’m very passionate about,” she said. “Having gone through hardships myself makes me be a little more empathetic and understanding of the needs of our clients. Therefore, I can advocate a lot more and give my best.”
Through her struggles, Fierro said she has gained an understanding of the troubles families could be facing.
“I want to help provide the resources for those families,” she said.
Fierro was hired near the end of 2024, and she said the news was a gift worthy of the holiday season.
“It was absolutely a huge Christmas present,” she said. “I was very happy, excited, joyful. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.”
Through her work with non-profits, Fierro has likewise gained an understanding of the work she will be doing with similar populations at United Way.
“Since I used to work with one of the agencies for United Way, Genesis Family Health, it helps me have a better understanding as to how we are helping and being able to relate to the agencies, understanding what they’re going through as well,” she said.
Fierro said her work with the public has made her more open to conversations and building partnerships. Her confidence too has grown with more experience.
“My confidence level is through the roof,” she said. “I believe in myself, and I have the full support of the board, which is great. I feel I have a lot of potential, and I have a lot of drive. That’s what’s going to help me to be successful and to be able to do a lot more for United Way.”
