Raulaniesa Aranda Named First-Ever Executive Director of SAAC

SAULT STE MARIE – The Sault Area Arts Council (SAAC) has hired Raulaniesa Aranda,
longtime chief executive officer of the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula (UWEUP), as
its first-ever executive director.

“This marks an exciting new chapter for our organization and our community,” said Agatha
Colbert, SAAC chair. “Raulaniesa, who is herself an encaustic and mixed media artist, brings a
wealth of non-profit experience from her work at the United Way and a real passion for
connecting people through the arts. We’re confident that her leadership will help us grow in bold
and meaningful ways and continue the exciting momentum spearheaded by our outgoing
operations manager, Libbey Brown. We’re ready to build on the SAAC’s legacy and continue to
bring meaningful, inspiring cultural experiences to the Sault.”

Hailing originally from lower Michigan, Aranda graduated from Brimley High School and
attended Lake Superior State University before spending several years on the East Coast. After
returning to the Sault, she met her fiancé, Bruce, and started a family. Aranda has two children:
daughter, Riley, and son, Jarrin.

Having spent over a decade at United Way, Aranda developed a strong commitment to the Sault
community, advocating at local, regional, state, and federal levels to ensure EUP residents have
the same services as their metropolitan counterparts. Beginning as a volunteer center coordinator,
she spent several years learning the organization from the ground up, transitioning to volunteer
center director, program director, and, in 2018, chief executive officer.

“United Way’s Board of Directors would like to thank Raulaniesa for her hard work, dedication,
and the caring shown to our community over the past decade. While our Board is sad to see her
go, we are excited to see her flourish as the executive director of the Sault Area Arts Council,
where we’ll be able to watch her spread her love of art to the community. United Way is
unwavering in its commitment to continue helping and supporting the community going forward
with the same robust dedication Raulaniesa brought to her position. Please join us in supporting
and cheering on Raulaniesa in her future endeavor,” said Michael Stevens, president of UWEUP. 

Aranda will transition from UWEUP to SAAC throughout the month of August. United Way is
accepting applicants for the role of executive director to take her place at the helm of the
organization. Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to
michael@unitedwayeup.org; mail them to United Way of the EUP, PO Box 451, Sault Ste.
Marie, MI 49783; or drop them off at 418 Ashmun St. between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11:30
a.m., Monday through Friday. The position will also be posted on Indeed.com.

“Transitioning from CEO at United Way to Executive Director at the Sault Area Arts Council is
a dream come true! It blends my nonprofit background with my passion for art,” said Aranda.
“As a contributing artist, I’ve watched the art center’s incredible growth and am thrilled to help
shape its future. I believe art is for everyone—healing, meditative, and powerful—and I’m eager
to find unique ways to share its benefits with our community. My goal is for everyone, regardless
of background, to find something at the art center that resonates with them, be it a class, exhibit,
or volunteer opportunity. I look forward to seeing many people gathering within our walls as we
celebrate, learn, create, and share in this artful life!”

About the Sault Area Arts Council
The Sault Area Arts Council’s mission is to celebrate the arts in our community by providing
opportunities to learn, create, and share, encouraging all to experience more artful lives. Its
purpose is to sponsor and encourage cultural and educational activities in Sault Ste. Marie and
the surrounding areas, sponsor cooperative planning, research, fundraising, and educational
programs, and undertake such other services deemed necessary to encourage participation in and
appreciation of the arts by all citizens in the area.
Visit www.saultartcenter.com to learn more, become a member, or donate.

About the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula
The United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula serves Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac counties,
seeking to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the communities. It has been
governed by a volunteer board of directors since its inception in 1956 – local volunteers oversee
every aspect of the organization, even today. We fight for the health, education, and financial
stability of every EUP resident. United Way’s Community Engagement Center helps to facilitate
corporate groups, local organizations and individual volunteers to create a positive impact in our
Eastern Upper Peninsula communities through various service projects and events. 
Learn more, give, or volunteer at www.unitedwayeup.org