The United Way of the Coastal Empire is pleased to announce its selection of Cecilia Russo Turner, CEO and founder of Cecilia Russo Marketing, to join its 2018 board of directors. Turner joins a board of 33 community leaders who operate under the direction of a 13-member executive committee.

The mission of United Way to improve lives by mobilizing the power of communities is parallel to the values that Turner stands behind. Turner has assisted a plethora of businesses and organizations with public relations, fundraising and visibility management.

Through her graduation from and involvement with Leadership Southeast Georgia, Turner is well accustomed to the four counties that United Way serves: Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.

“Rallying the community behind an incredible cause is one of my passions,” said Turner. “To have the opportunity to assist the board of the United Way is an honor, and I’m ecstatic to bring my expertise to this powerful group.”

During her 23-year career, Turner has a developed a proven record among local top-tier non-profit and for-profit organizations, businesses and corporations in the areas of fund development, marketing, public relations, community relations, professional counsel and event planning. Her firm, Cecilia Russo Marketing, increases businesses and organization’s visibility locally, nationally and globally through reputation management strategies in Southeast coastal Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Turner, a native of Savannah, is a graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy and the University of Georgia. Aside from her new position on the United Way board, Turner serves on the board of the Savannah Technical College Foundation, Rotary Club of Savannah and Horizons Savannah. Previously, she served on the boards of the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island, Senior Citizens, Inc., and Ronald McDonald House Charities.