CHICAGO, IL — October 20, 2025 — United Way of Metro Chicago announced Kevin Cole, EY Chicago Office Managing Partner, will serve as the 2025-2026 annual fundraising campaign chair. Cole succeeds immediate-past Chair Scott C. Swanson, President of PNC Bank – Illinois, who led United Way to a successful 2024-2025 campaign, having helped raise more than $41 million to build thriving communities and a stronger Chicago region.
As United Way of Metro Chicago’s 2025-2026 Campaign Chair, Cole will oversee a committee of fellow corporate leaders who will drive the next year of workplace giving — and inspire greater impact in our communities. His one-year term as campaign chair began July 1.
“I want to continue to be a catalyst for the work that United Way of Metro Chicago is doing in building strong neighborhoods through place-based investment,” Cole says. “We’re aiming to raise awareness and help donors understand their impact through supporting United Way initiatives. We’re going to drive more direct investment by using the campaign as a platform to energize our donors.”
Cole will continue the work of Swanson and those before him, raising critical dollars to extend United Way’s work in the community so all individuals can meet their immediate basic needs, such as access to food, housing and healthcare, and to help drive transformative change alongside partners in 17 city and suburban communities through the Neighborhood Network Initiative.
Cole has been a United Way donor for more than two decades through Ernst & Young LLP (EY US)’s workplace giving campaign and has served on United Way of Metro Chicago’s Board of Directors. He is a strong advocate of United Way’s long-term approach to sustainable community investment and transformation.
“I’m extremely passionate about United Way’s place-based work in communities as a pathway to real impact,” Cole says. “Place-based investing changes the dynamics in a neighborhood and creates opportunities. Closing the opportunity gap is a game changer.”
As the EY Chicago Office Managing Partner, Cole helps lead 4,500 professionals in the Chicago market. He also serves as the Great Lakes market leader, guiding office managing partners in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania in executing firm strategy.
Prior to his current role, Cole served as the accounts managing partner for the US-Central Region, responsible for developing and implementing go-to-market strategies across industry market segments and service lines. Cole brings over 30 years of experience serving in various positions to grow and transform the business of both the EY organization and his clients. He believes high-performing teams have a strong distributed leadership model built around a shared vision.
Cole received a BS in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. He sits on the boards of United Way of Metro Chicago, World Business Chicago and the Civic Committee.
About United Way of Metro Chicago
United Way of Metro Chicago brings together business, government, philanthropic, individual and community leaders to deliver funding and resources while amplifying the expertise of nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. We help individuals meet their basic needs and work alongside neighborhood partners to address local priorities and create communities where all people can thrive. United, we are building a stronger Chicago region. For more information, visit LIVEUNITEDchicago.org.
Media Contact
Kris Adamik, 312.906.2291,
kris.adamik@LIVEUNITEDchicago.org