Louisville, Ky. (April 21, 2026) – As Metro United Way pushes toward an ambitious $75 million goal to transform lives across Greater Louisville, the organization has named Lance Mann, Louisville Market Leader with Dean Dorton, as the year-two chair of its “From Hardship to Hope” initiative. Mann, a seasoned financial and business advisory leader with more than 20 years of experience, brings both deep community roots and strategic expertise to the role.
Today, one in five households in the Greater Louisville region struggle to make ends meet. Metro United Way launched From Hardship to Hope in August 2025 to change that statistic through innovative programs, proven initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration.
Mann steps into the role following a strong inaugural year led by Kim Halbauer, Regional President of Fifth Third Bank Kentucky, who built the initiative’s foundation alongside a Leadership Cabinet of 16 local business executives. After just one year, the effort has raised nearly $16 million toward its $75 million goal.
“Kim’s leadership set the tone for this ambitious effort,” said Adria Johnson, President and CEO of Metro United Way. “Despite the demands of her professional responsibilities, she made this work a priority, showing up with passion, commitment, and a clear vision for what’s possible. Because of her leadership, we are off to a strong start.”
A member of the Leadership Cabinet since the initiative’s launch, Mann has been a longtime supporter of Metro United Way’s mission and is known for helping organizations navigate complex challenges and plan for long-term growth, experience he will bring directly to this community effort.
“I’m honored to step into this position and continue building on the incredible foundation that’s been set by Kim Halbauer, the Leadership Cabinet, and the entire Metro United Way team,” said Mann. “The need in our community is greater than ever, but together, we can lift more families from hardship to hope and ensure that the Greater Louisville region is the best it’s ever been – for everyone.”
For more information about Metro United Way and the From Hardship to Hope effort, visit metrounitedway.org/from-hardship-to-hope.
About Metro United Way
For more than 100 years, Metro United Way has been improving lives and our community, which includes Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana. We are uniquely positioned to harness the power of donors, volunteers, thought leaders, experts, other nonprofits, and government at all levels to ensure positive, sustainable change for every person in our seven-county region. Now more than ever, we are focused on three priorities: thriving kids, strong households, and an equitable community.
