Rachel Peterson resigned as executive director of the United Way of North Idaho after a year in the role.   

Peterson started in December 2024 with 25 years of experience working with nonprofits. 

“She has taken a position with Heritage Health and it basically uses the same talents she had with us in a different capacity,” United Way Board President Patt Richesin said. “We're excited for her. She’s very talented, and I think the other thing is, it’s the kind of work she likes to do." 

Peterson confirmed she is Heritage Health's director of People and Community Advancement but did not respond to requests for comment about the job change as of press time.

“We’re glad she’s still in the community,” Richesin said. “She's a real asset.”  

Peterson had taken over the United Way of North Idaho at a tumultuous time for nonprofits. In July, the United Way of Spokane County shut down after more than 100 years of serving the area. 

“A lot of that turmoil for 2025 related to United Way seems to have calmed down a bit,” Richesin said.  

United Way of North Idaho has changed its relationship with other agencies. Richesin hopes the future executive director will continue to carry that message forward. 

“There was just a lot going on within the last five years and we’ve all kind of settled and we know our roles and what we can do to move forward,” Richesin said. 

The annual income listed for the executive director position is $95,000 to $105,000.

Richesin said that United Way Worldwide is assisting with a candidate search for the North Idaho agency. However, they’re looking at prospects with local or regional connections who are “aware of the Idaho landscape.” 

Richesin said the organization’s efforts in North Idaho counties have also undergone a transition. 

“We’re thinking more strategically and tactically how best to get out of our previous role of being more of a fundraiser for other organizations,” Richesin said. “We've moved into being a collector, a collaborator. We're really looking at it much differently than we have in the past.” 

United Way of North Idaho will now serve as more of a hinge for programming and collaboration. Part of being that hinge for the community to meet and help others is the Volunteer North Idaho website.  

Early Learning Coordinator Sara Welch said she's met United Way volunteers she might not have otherwise encountered.

"I have seen amazing connections with people saying well, I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and it was something as simple as wanting to read to a child. We’ve found some amazing volunteers through the website," Welch said.   

About 70 different agencies are registered on the volunteer connection website.

Richesin said United Way of North Idaho is focused on strategic planning goals and has expanded its reach.

"We’ve added four board members and a lot more representation for the other counties in North Idaho," Richesin said. 

She hopes the new board members can "pave the way" for stronger partnerships.

"We’ve got really strong leadership in Bonner County and Shoshone to help us deliver some of the work there and stretch a bit in some of the ways we can take our programs into other counties," she said.

 

    Patt Richesin