Beyond the Title is a series of Q&As with alumni of Madison365’s Most Influential lists.
Renee Moe (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American Leaders, 2020) is President and CEO of United Way of Dane County, a leader in the worldwide United Way network and across the nonprofit sector. Charity Navigator recently recognized United Way of Dane County in the top three percent of U.S. nonprofits. A military kid who grew up on the three continents, Renee has a JBA in Journalism and Mandarin Chinese, and an MBA from UW-Madison. She has been recognized with the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, Wisconsin Women of Color Network Power of Unity Award, Brava Woman 2 Watch, UW Business School 8 Under 40, and served as President of Downtown Rotary.
What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?
Presence means noticing, authenticity and always doing your best to enable the best outcomes. I stay grounded through community listening and data, a clear strategy that responds and commitment to values. A top-notch team, supportive family and Taekwondo training help, too! Performance means getting results and making progress toward community goals, and that doesn’t happen without presence and the ability to stay grounded.
What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?
Family first, work second, everything else is a bonus.
Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?
A deep commitment to the well-being of children, individuals and families in Dane County is my true North Star – the source of my courage to act and move forward. It fuels my desire to think bigger and beyond the limits of what’s traditionally seen as possible – for example, an “all-in” estimate of what it would take to extend effective quality of life strategies to all families in poverty across Dane County.
At times, this thinking has been met with resistance – because we know that the investment from the community needed to scale effective strategies is a big number. That resistance aside, I knew the exercise would catalyze critical conversations that could align partners and resources, and allow us to collectively “think bigger” about how to disrupt systems in ways that allow more individuals and families to thrive, especially as our population continues to grow and costs increase.
What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?
What are the most important relationships inside and outside the organization that I need to nurture and learn from?
Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?
My husband is not only in my corner, he’s my number one fan. I trust the wisdom of my leadership team, staff, volunteers and partners – they will speak truth and push on different points of view to navigate the toughest times. Building that team takes thoughtfulness, commitment to the mission and values, and a mindset of collaboration and accountability. Protecting that circle means leading in ways that foster trust and open lines of communication, and giving as much or more than is received.
Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?
I recognize the hard days are always instructive. Criticism is data, frustration is learning and working through the difficult stuff is the next step that needs to get figured out to do the next step after that. I do tune in and notice when I’m tired and need a break. When that happens, I will refresh myself with some breathing, movement or a pause in order to keep going.
Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?
Impact is everything. If we’re not evolving for the betterment of others, we’re not doing our jobs or meeting our commitment to the community. The calling to mobilize the caring power of our community to change lives for the better is how I serve and what I lead to do. I have learned recognition helps others find and value the work and leadership as credible, and it helps the team feel appreciated and motivated. That said, the impact is the best recognition.
What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?
Courage.
What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?
Onward, upward, awkward! Keep going, keep getting better. If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing.
When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?
Sharing space with my kids. Their interests, commentary, music, struggles, triumphs and humor remind me of what’s most important.
Who is your favorite sports team?
Packers
What is your favorite holiday and why?
I love all holidays to be with family. That said, there is a special place in my soul for New Year’s. It is a day of new beginnings, typically unscheduled and often cozy (because it’s cold outside), and a chance to reflect back and imagine forward. I like that pause in a life that doesn’t have a lot of pauses.
