Episode 12: Building Connected Communities with Marcus Coleman

Marcus Coleman, VP of Community Resilience Strategy at United Way Worldwide, shares how his “superpower” of connectedness helps build stronger communities. In this episode, we explore his journey from FEMA to United Way, the role of faith in leadership, and what gives him hope for the future.

Whether you’re in emergency management, nonprofit work, or simply passionate about helping your neighbors, this conversation is full of insights on building partnerships that matter.

HELPFUL RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
United Way Jobs

Visit the Book Club for book recommendations!

Free Very Useful Workbooks:

• Long Game Self-Assessment - Dorie Clark

• Download Your Career Mapping Workbook - Ginny Clarke

Podcasts:

• How to Create a Vivid Vision – Coaching for Leaders

• How to Nail a Job Transition – Coaching for Leaders

• How to Win the Long Game When the Short Term Seems Bleak – Coaching for Leaders

• What to Do After a Layoff – Coaching for Leaders

Articles (might require subscriptions — any listeners eager to get a copy can reach Marcus on LinkedIn):

• What’s Your Story? (Harvard Business Review)

• A Campaign Strategy for Your Career  (Harvard Business Review)

• (Video) Building Your Career Narrative

Emergency Management Content:

• Protecting Houses of Worship | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA

• Engaging Faith-Based and Community Organizations

About Marcus Coleman
Marcus T. Coleman, Jr. has a wealth of experience in establishing public-private partnerships with faith-based and non-profit organizations, focusing on promoting community resilience and addressing the climate crisis. He is leading efforts at United Way Worldwide as the Vice President for Community Resilience Strategy. In this role, is instrumental in helping the United Way Network and community partners to effectively coordinate and implement local solutions that promote Resilient Communities and the Environment.

His experience includes ten years of public service at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, most recently as the Director of the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Here, he led a team that supported over 50+ disaster activations and special missions, such as hurricanes, humanitarian responses, and national outreach efforts following active shooter and other human-caused incidents.

Marcus’s contributions to homeland security have been widely recognized, including the 2023 Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Meta-Leader of the Year and HS Today’s Homeland’s Hottest 50 honor in 2022. Marcus co-developed guidance and training that promote public-private partnerships with faith-based and community organizations to develop agency-wide agreements with organizations serving historically underrepresented communities, such as the one between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which is a testament to his professional achievements.

Marcus is an alum of Howard University, American University, Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, and the FEMA Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship. His commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in his active engagement in several organizations focused on advancing inclusive national security and foreign policy solutions outside of his professional role.