Megan Cortney
Senior Director, Community Impact
Megan Cortney is a dedicated community leader with a strong background in higher education, evaluation, and a passion for social impact. A proud first-generation American and lifelong Southern Nevada resident, Megan earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). While at UNLV, she actively engaged with the community and honed her leadership skills as a member of Psi Chi and Sigma Alpha Pi. She furthered her education by earning a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University, equipping her with the expertise to drive meaningful change in the community she proudly serves.
Megan’s professional journey began at the UNR School of Medicine, where she gained valuable experience working on rural health initiatives such as RESEP (Radiation Exposure and Screening Education Program) and NTS (Nevada Test Site) programs. She later transitioned to the role of Statewide Program Coordinator for Graduate Medical Education, overseeing the accreditation of residency and fellowship programs across Nevada and leading the successful transition of all Southern Nevada residency and fellowship programs to UNLV.
In 2021, Megan joined United Way of Southern Nevada as the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, where she played a key role in formalizing the Community Impact Grant program and enhancing impact reporting across all UWSN programs. As the current Senior Director of Community Impact, she leads a team dedicated to addressing critical community needs through programs such as the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Project REACH, Language Access, Deseret Industries Move-In Voucher, and Community Impact Grants programs. Megan oversees the strategic direction, implementation, and evaluation of these programs, ensuring equitable access to programs and services for all. Megan also serves as a member of UWSN’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Taskforce, contributing to efforts to build a more inclusive community.
A committed advocate for social change, Megan serves on the Nevada Advisory Council on Federal Assistance and is a current participant in the United Way Worldwide NextGen Leaders Initiative. She is passionate about empowering individuals and families and dedicated to building a more resilient and equitable Southern Nevada. Beyond her professional endeavors, Megan is an active volunteer in the community, dedicating her time to supporting local organizations and causes she believes in.
