What does it take to move from responding to community crises to changing the systems that create them?
On this episode of On The Fly!, Donna Zaring sits down with Moira Weir, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati, to talk about what it means to think beyond immediate needs and build long-term solutions for families and communities.
After more than 25 years with Hamilton County Job and Family Services, Moira brought a deeply practical understanding of community needs to United Way. She talks about the shift from crisis response to systems change, why lived experience and community voice need to be at the center of decision-making, and how data can help organizations understand what a community actually needs.
The conversation explores United Way’s 211 system, housing stabilization and eviction prevention, financial empowerment, free tax preparation, workforce development, and the Future of Manufacturing Fund. Moira also shares why collaboration matters so much — and why, in her words, “you can’t opt out of your community.”
In this episode:
- Moving from crisis response to long-term systems change
- Why community voice and lived experience matter
- Using 211 data to understand community needs
- Housing stabilization and eviction prevention
- Financial empowerment and free tax preparation
- Creating pathways into manufacturing careers
- Using technology without losing the human connection
- Why collaboration and collective ownership are essential
- The idea that your zip code shouldn't determine your future
Connect with Moira & United Way of Greater Cincinnati
United Way of Greater Cincinnati: https://www.uwgc.org/
About On The Fly!
On The Fly! celebrates social enterprises and the people who build them, along with the organizations and communities that support them. Each episode explores the ideas, challenges, and people working to create meaningful change.
At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we pair experienced professionals with purpose-driven founders to make a real difference in our communities. Interested in coaching, mentoring, or starting your own social venture? Visit https://flywheelcincinnati.org/ to learn how you can get involved.
On The Fly! is produced by Joan Kaup and Joey Scarillo, with support from Gianna DiMona. Music by Ben Hammer. It is recorded at 1819 Innovation Hub, courtesy of the University of Cincinnati.
