Our Team

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Maureen "Mo" began serving as interim executive director in October 2018, and became our executive director in January of 2019. Mo is no stranger to Burke County United Way, having 24 years of volunteer experience with the agency, including as campaign coordinator, board chair, budget and allocations chair, and special committee’s chair such as Toast of the Town. She retired with more than 31 years of combined service from Burke County government and Western Piedmont Community College. She is a graduate of Western Piedmont Community College and has a Bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Master's degree from Western Carolina University, an Education Specialist degree from Appalachian State University and an academic advising graduate certificate from Kansas State University. She is an active Rotarian with Burke Sunrise Rotary, having served as president. She is a 1+ Paul Harris Fellow, a past recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, the Rotary Star and United Way Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year.

Mo makes her home with her husband, Tracy Yancey, also a lifelong resident of Burke County. Her father, siblings, and many nieces and nephews also live locally. She enjoys spending time in the company of friends and family, gardening, and travel.

executive.director@bcuw.org

MARKETING & CAMPAIGN MANAGER

Abigail joined Burke County United Way in February 2019. She brings seven years of marketing, video production, photography, and project management experience to Burke County United Way. An Air Force brat, Abigail grew up moving around the south, finally settling in Hickory, NC. Abigail has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Motion Picture and Television Production from Western Carolina University. In 2018, Abigail began a comedy improv group called Morganton Improv which continues to offer entertainment and team building opportunities to the Burke County community. Abigail has been performing and doing improv since childhood, and believes that improv can be a powerful tool used to help people communicate, live mindfully, and work together.

Abigail also occasionally works as an adjunct film and video instructor at Western Piedmont Community College and as a bartender. She enjoys cooking, writing, movies, community theatre, and performing with her Asheville-based punk band.

abigail.taylor@bcuw.org

FINANCE MANAGER

Charles Conley served BCUW as Manager of Operations from November 2012 until his retirement June 2021. He returned to serve as Office Manager in October 2021. He calls himself "semi-retired."

Starting in 2012 under Board President Scott Mulwee and Executive Director (ED) Wendy Cato, Charles brought with him 32 years of experience in mortgage lending, 17 years as a business owner of Conley Mortgage, and 12 years combined as a Board Member, Treasurer, Budget & Allocations Chairman and Campaign Cabinet Member for BCUW. Charles has served as the unofficial BCUW historian for 3 ED’s. Charles earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He is currently serving on the loan committee of Valdese Economic Development Investment Corp.

Charles has been a Morganton resident the majority of his life. He is proud to be a resident of such a wonderful place to live. He enjoys hiking in the Linville Gorge, yoga and has become the local "go-to" pet sitter.

charlesconley@bcuw.org

FINANCIAL COACH, Financial Empowerment Program

Adriana Morris joined BCUW in Jan. 2023 to become a financial coach for the new Financial Empowerment Program. She has a Bachelors of Social Work degree from Appalachian State University. Adriana has completed the training to become a Certified Financial Counselor from the National Association of Credit Counselors.

Adriana has worked in several local agencies: Hospice of Burke County, Burke United Christian Ministries, Burke County Public School System and is currently employed at Broughton Hospital.

Adriana was born in Manizales Colombia and is fluent in Spanish. She has worked very closely with the Hispanic community in Burke County. Adriana is married to Jevon who is a Burke county resident and they have 4 sons: Jevon, Santiago, Nikolas and Carlos. She has been a resident of Morganton for over 29 years. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, quilting but especially traveling.

FINANCIAL COACH, Financial Empowerment Program

Keith joined the Burke County United Way in January 2023 as a Financial Coach with the agency's Financial Empowerment Center. Keith has 25 years of experience in higher education, having retired from Western Piedmont Community College where he served in Student Services. He also was employed in the insurance services business for eight years. Keith is a Certified Financial Counselor and received a Bachelor’s degree from Pembroke State University.

Keith resides in Morganton, with his wife Sondra. They are the parents of two adult daughters, Arielle and Ariana. Keith and Sondra are active members of New Day Christian Church. During his leisure time, Keith enjoys reading, sports, and spending quality time with family and friends.