A Q&A with Daniel Sheridan, our new Senior Vice president of Community Impact
At United Way Quad Cities, we lead a community-wide movement to improve access to education, financial security and health. We bring together the corporate, philanthropic, civic and nonprofit sectors, as well as individual changemakers, to achieve strategic goals for the Quad Cities. This collaborative approach to community impact work is unique — in fact, it’s why we’re called United Way.
We are excited to announce that Daniel Sheridan is joining United Way Quad Cities as our Sr. Vice President of Community Impact. With 16 years of leadership experience at Davenport Junior Theatre, Daniel has demonstrated a deep commitment to driving change and helping others reach their full potential. Now, he brings his passion and expertise to United Way, where he will lead our efforts to unite the community and achieve the ambitious Rise United 2030 community goals.
In his new role, Daniel will lead strategic collaborations to address the critical needs of our community, ensuring that funding investments and resources are aligned to drive meaningful change. His leadership will focus on uniting people and organizations to create pathways for success in youth opportunity, education, financial security and health care access. By fostering strong partnerships, Daniel will ensure that our efforts empower individuals and families across the Quad Cities and create lasting impact.
Read our Q&A with Daniel as he shares what inspired him to join United Way and how he plans to work with community partners to advance the Rise United 2030 goals and create lasting impact in the Quad Cities.
Q: Daniel, welcome to United Way Quad Cities! Can you tell us what excites you most about this new role?
Daniel: Thank you! What excites me most is the opportunity to create real, lasting change at a broader community level. In my previous role at Davenport Junior Theatre, I had the privilege of working with young people to help them find their voice and grow their confidence. Now, at United Way, I see an incredible opportunity to take that same sense of empowerment and apply it across all ages and sectors — whether it’s through education, workforce development or health initiatives. The potential for impact here is tremendous, and I’m eager to help shape the future of our community.
Q: How do you see United Way’s role in driving community impact?
Daniel: United Way is uniquely positioned to bring people together — whether it’s through funding, collaboration, advocacy or volunteerism. Our role is to be both a leader and a convener, ensuring that the community’s needs are addressed and met. By focusing on youth opportunity, financial security, and a healthy community, we’re setting the stage for real change that affects every aspect of people’s lives and builds community resiliency. It’s about aligning resources and strategies to maximize our impact, while always keeping the community’s well-being at the heart of what we do.
Q: What is your vision for advancing the Rise United 2030 goals?
Daniel: My vision is to build on the incredible work that’s already been done and ensure that every initiative we undertake moves us closer to the Rise United 2030 goals. We want to create real, tangible progress in education, financial stability and health. That means leading strategic collaborations with local organizations and making sure that every dollar we invest has a measurable impact. Ultimately, I want to ensure that the entire community feels empowered to engage in this work and that we’re building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Q: How will you use data and community input to drive this work?
Daniel: Data is critical to understanding what works and where we can make the biggest impact. I’ll be working closely with the team to ensure we’re using data to inform our decisions and track our progress. But data alone isn’t enough — it has to be combined with the voices of the community. I’ll make sure we’re listening to the needs and aspirations of the people we serve, so we can continuously refine and improve our strategies. This will ensure that our work is not only effective but also deeply rooted in the community.
Q: What role will volunteers play in supporting these efforts?
Daniel: Volunteers are an essential part of everything we do. They are the hands and hearts that make our impact possible. In this role, I’ll be working to expand volunteer opportunities, making sure we connect people’s passions and skills with the right projects. Whether it’s through our Read United one-on-one literacy mentorship program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax prep program or other initiatives, we’ll be creating meaningful ways for people to engage and contribute to the success of the Rise United 2030 goals.
Leading the Charge for Community Impact
As Sr. Vice President of Community Impact, Daniel will be at the forefront of our work to achieve our Rise United 2030 community goals. His leadership will focus on education, income and health — key areas that are critical to improving lives and building a stronger Quad Cities. He will oversee community initiatives, direct services and volunteer efforts, ensuring that each strategy aligns with our vision for a more equitable and prosperous community.
Daniel’s work will include fostering partnerships with local organizations, business leaders and policymakers to ensure our impact reaches every corner of the community. By uniting people and resources, Daniel will help drive the changes needed to create lasting improvements in education outcomes, financial stability and overall health for individuals and families in our region.
Please join us in welcoming Daniel Sheridan to United Way Quad Cities as we work together to build a better future for all.
You can reach Daniel at dsheridan@unitedwayqc.org or 563.344.0316.