Dr. Nikia Owens was selected to serve as the deputy executive director of Family Supports and Basic Needs in February 2021. She was previously the managing director of Financial Empowerment at United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ), where she was responsible for leading UWGPSNJ’s family empowerment and income stability initiatives.
Prior to joining UWGPSNJ, Owens served in capacities as vice president and held several leadership positions in the fields of research, education, and human services. She is the founder and owner of 3Ps N U, LLC Consulting, assisting organizations and academic institutions in strategic planning, program development, management, evaluation, and training.
Dr. Owens has taught at the collegiate level, and within her leadership roles she has served on state and local boards, worked closely with state officials, analyzed public policy, garnered bipartisan support on state programs, and most recently served on Mayor Barbarann Keffer’s transition team in Upper Darby Township, PA.
Dr. Owens holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Social Work from Howard University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work Planning, Administration and Social Science from Clark Atlanta University.
Maureen Maier is an experienced nonprofit and public sector leader with over 20 years of service to communities in Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania. Maureen has served in leadership roles with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, focusing on organizational programming, operations, and strategy, with expertise in program design and delivery, staff management, project management, and partnership strategy. Most recently, Maureen has served as the Connected Communities lead at High Gear Consulting Group, working closely with board leadership at nonprofit organizations to identify needs and build their capacity to achieve bold missions.
A native Philadelphian, Maureen received her undergraduate degree at St. Joseph’s University and her graduate degree at Temple University. Maureen lives in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia with her family and is currently the board co-president at the Friends of JS Jenks, a volunteer organization that supports the neighborhood public school her children attend.