SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Emily Santanelli of USI Insurance Services in Rancho Cordova has joined the board of directors for United Way California Capital Region. She will help lead the 100-year-old nonprofit that is working to end poverty for local families, starting in school.

Santanelli serves as vice president of employee benefits at USI. She has more than a decade of experience in the wellness industry and employee benefits sphere, including 10 years at Cooper Aerobics Enterprises in Texas and through her own wellness consulting company prior to joining USI. Santanelli serves as vice president of professional development for the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association and as a member of United Way’s development committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University.

She joins other new board members John Petrovich of West Sacramento, Amy Krause of Land Park, Dr. Robert Snowden of Elk Grove, and Bay Area residents September Hargrove and Brett Studholme.

“We are proud to have this fantastic slate of community leaders join our board of directors in our 100^th anniversary year,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “They will contribute critical resources as we begin a new century working together to end poverty for families across the region.”

For 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has been working to end poverty by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities. Since 1923, the local United Way has raised more than $500 million to fight poverty in the region and help families succeed. The group recently announced a goal to raise $3 million to help 10,000 kids excel in school by 2025 as part of its work to end poverty for local families. The local United Way has found one place in each community to reach the most families in need: School is square one for ending poverty. United Way uses its Square One approach to end poverty for local families by helping children excel in school, investing in families, and strengthening schools with resources to address increased poverty and deep roots of racial inequality. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.YourLocalUnitedWay.org.