Cheyenne Tyler (36) 
Manager of School Initiatives, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Making the transition back to work after having a baby is tough enough, but Cheyenne Tyler did it while working with those acutely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a challenging experience. However, in hindsight, I’m happy I was able to be a part of it,” the mother of a now 1-year-old says.

As the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Manager of School Initiatives, Tyler worked on programs to address chronic absenteeism and violence prevention. However, once the pandemic hit — and schools closed — she stepped up her leadership, mobilizing and managing the newly created Students and Families Food Relief Fund, which partnered with nearly 60 community agencies to serve more than 1.3 million meals to people in need.

She also led the United Way’s local vaccine response, which partners with numerous local agencies to ensure residents in underserved neighborhoods get access to the vaccine.

“Most recently I’ve shifted into listening and learning and working with partners to address vaccine hesitancy and how to provide culturally appropriate education to community members throughout our region,” she says.