United Way of North Idaho names Erica Wrublik as executive director

United Way of North Idaho announced that Erica Wrublik joined the organization earlier this week as its new executive director, and Wrublik said Friday she is "excited to get to work and to tell the story of United Way, an organization that's been working diligently behind the scenes to propel North Idahoans for nearly 70 years." The organization lists the executive director annual salary at $95,000 to $105,000.

Patt Richesin, UWNI Board President, called Wrublik "the right person at the right time for us" and emphasized the board's priorities, saying, "With our emphasis on resilience and stability in pursuit of a bright future for our communities, and her experience, dedication, and welcoming presence, we know we have a winning combination." A UWNI press release dated Feb. 20 added that Wrublik's "understanding of North Idaho’s nonprofit, healthcare, business, and civic landscapes positions her to lead UWNI with insight, collaboration, and strategic focus."

Wrublik arrives with "more than 12 years of nonprofit and leadership experience," including senior leadership roles with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Feb. 20 release credited her chamber work with "stewarding high-level donor relationships, planning large-scale fundraising events, supporting board governance, and overseeing operational and financial reporting."

Immediately prior to joining UWNI, Wrublik worked in marketing and community outreach at Kootenai Health, where the press release says she was responsible for "cultivating meaningful relationships, coordinating outreach efforts, and aligning community engagement with mission-critical goals across North Idaho and Eastern Washington." The Coeur d’Alene-area hospital role lasted "about a year" before she moved into the executive director post at UWNI.

The appointment follows a leadership change in January, when former executive director Rachel Peterson departed UWNI after one year in the role and now serves as Heritage Health's director of People and Community Advancement. United Way of North Idaho describes its mission as addressing the region's most pressing issues through strategic partnerships, community-led initiatives, and investments in programs serving ALICE - Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed - households.

UWNI's Feb. 20 materials and board statements frame Wrublik's hire as a strategic move to bolster fundraising, governance, and community engagement across North Idaho and neighboring Eastern Washington. Wrublik's stated excitement about "telling the story of United Way" and the board's declaration of a "winning combination" set expectations that fundraising and stability will be priorities as she begins her tenure in Coeur d’Alene.