United Way of the Coastal Empire announced that the 2026 Women Who Rule event will honor community leader and United Way supporter Swann Seiler as the 2026 United Way Woman of the Year. The annual luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Savannah Convention Center.

Championed by United Way’s Women United®, the event raises funds for the Women United Transportation Fund, which supports women and caregivers across the region who need dependable transportation. Donations to the fund provide gas cards, bus passes, minor car repairs and other assistance to increase access to reliable transportation.

Seiler began her career in 1978 with Foster Wheeler Energy Corp. in New Jersey and later worked in public relations for Lytton Industries. She joined Savannah Electric in 1982, serving as manager of corporate communications until its merger into Georgia Power in 2006. She went on to serve as manager of external affairs for Georgia Power’s Southeast Region until her retirement.

A 1978 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, Seiler has remained deeply connected to her alma mater. She was the first woman to serve as president of the UGA National Alumni Association (2005–07), is an emeritus member of both the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors and the UGA Foundation, and has served on multiple university boards. She received the Southern Company–University of Georgia Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001 and is a graduate of Leadership Savannah and Leadership Georgia.

Throughout her career, Seiler has been extensively involved in civic and community leadership.  She has served on the Historic District Board of Review for the City of Savannah, the Bethesda Academy board, the Board of Curators for the Georgia Historical Society, the Georgia Women of Achievement board, the Georgia Humanities Council, the state board of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the Chatham County Public Schools Foundation and the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire. She has been a member of the Savannah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Rotary Club of Savannah. Seiler is also a past president of Senior Citizens Inc., the Junior League of Savannah and the Girl Scout Council of Savannah. In addition, she has chaired the Chatham/Effingham Regional Library Board, the Savannah Sports Council, the Telfair Museum of Art Board of Trustees and United Way of the Coastal Empire’s 1998 fundraising campaign.

Seiler resides in Savannah’s Historic District, is an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension and comes from the family that has raised the University of Georgia’s famed English bulldog mascots for nearly 70 years.

“Swann embodies what it means to lead with purpose and heart,” said Kimberly Waller, president and CEO of United Way of the Coastal Empire. “Her lifelong commitment to this region has opened doors, strengthened families, and inspired future generations. We are proud to honor someone whose journey has truly made our community better.”

This year’s Women Who Rule event will be chaired by Jennifer Ball, region operations coordinator for Georgia Power’s Southeast Region. Ball is deeply involved in the community, serving on several local boards and volunteering with organizations including Citizens of Georgia Power, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and United Way of the Coastal Empire.

In addition to honoring the 2026 Woman of the Year, the event will feature a panel of female leaders from across the region. Panelists will be announced in early 2026.

Event tickets and tables will go on sale to the public in mid-January 2026. For more information, visit uwce.org/women-who-rule.