Ann Austin is excited to be a part of the United Way of Freeborn County.

“It’s right up my alley,” she said.

Austin starts as the new executive director Monday, filling the space left by Dave Bonnerup who worked with the United Way for two years.

She said she is excited to work with all of the affiliated agencies and get back in contact with many people she knew during her days as a reporter for the Albert Lea Tribune.

“After I left the Tribune I just felt so distanced from what’s going on. It’s nice to know and get involved in what’s going on,” Austin said.

She moved to Albert Lea five years ago after she married her husband, Nick, whose family is from the area.

Nick is the reason Austin applied for the position at the United Way. One day he brought home the information on the job and encouraged her to apply, she said.

Austin, 28, grew up in Rogers and went to college at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. She said she was happy to move to a small town similar to the way Rogers was when she was growing up. Through the years, Austin said, her hometown expanded.

“It was too developed for me, so moving down to Albert Lea was very nice,” she said.

At Gustavus, where she met Nick, Austin was an English major and received a “good perspective on life,” she said.

Upon graduation, Nick got a job at Security Bank, which is what brought them back to town. The couple does not yet have any kids.

Austin worked at the Tribune for two years and made a lot of community connections that she said will be valuable in her job at the United Way as she goes into businesses and service organizations during the annual campaign. She won’t have to break the ice with everyone she meets, she said.

As with any new job, Austin is going to be learning a lot of new things, and she is very enthusiastic about it. She will take leadership training, learn grant writing and researching and the ins and outs of the United Way.

“I don’t quite know what to expect yet,” she said.

Austin said she looks forward to talking with the community about what the United Way stands for and how the affiliated agencies help.

“Giving money is great, but for us to really be the community that I see, we need to get more directly involved in what occurs,” she said.

Through her many career paths, Austin said she brings a lot of experiences to the position. Some key issues she would like to raise awareness for are children’s issues and minority issues. Overall she said she wants to bring a compassion for others.

After working at the Tribune, Austin worked with the Montessori Children’s House for three years — including one year of training — as a preschool teacher for students 2 1/2 to 6 years old.

“It was a very beneficial experience to work there. The people I worked with and the children I worked with taught me so much,” she said.

Following the Montessori school, Austin worked part-time at Hill’s Gardens.

In the five years she has lived here, Austin has grown a love for Albert Lea.

“For a small town like this there are so many opportunities,” she said.

“I just really care about what the United Way stands for. I’m a dedicated person, and I’m going to be in Albert Lea a long, long time.

“I was really honored that they offered this job to me,” Austin said. “I really look forward to working with the board members. They are a great group of people. They have very exciting plans for the future of Albert Lea. I think we’re on a great track, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”