United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC) is excited to announce that Aisha Shepherd will be joining our team as the new Vice President of Community Engagement.
A native of Asheville, Aisha has devoted her entire career to improving the lives of children and families in Buncombe County. She comes to United Way from Buncombe County government, where she has worked in various capacities since 2003, including social work, justice services, and her most recent position as Community Development Specialist.
In her role as Vice President of Community Engagement, Aisha will lead the organization in realizing our new vision for Community Engagement, which was the result of an extensive design process, grounded in community input. This vision will both guide and push the organization to more authentically learn from, listen to, and work with community residents—particularly in communities of color and those with lived experience of poverty, marginalization, and injustice.
Her deep personal roots in the community, coupled with her experience building authentic relationships and strong networks throughout the community, made Aisha a perfect fit for the position.
“This community profoundly matters to me. Living and working in Asheville my entire life, I have developed an awareness for the dynamics and characteristics that make Asheville and Buncombe County unique. I believe my passion for this community, and my understanding of the history and culture here will help position me to be successful in this role.” Aisha Shepherd
