Meet the United Way NEXT Team
Our team is made up of passionate professionals dedicated to supporting the United Way NEXT community and advancing our shared commitment to connection, service, and impact. Whether planning events, coordinating programs, or building meaningful relationships, we are here to champion the work and values that unite us 💙
Get to know the people behind the scenes who keep UW NEXT moving forward!
President & CEO
Carole Peters has served as President and CEO of United Way NEXT since August 2022. During this time, Carole has been instrumental in expanding the awareness of UW NEXT resources and engaging countless volunteers that have positively impacted UW staff across the country. Carole finds joy in serving alongside UW NEXT members through their service on the board, involvement in work groups, as mentors, and guest speakers. Carole is passionate about meeting with former and current UW professionals and finding ways to engage them in this amazing community of UW NEXT.
Carole is the former CEO of UW of Greater McHenry County, IL, a role she held from 2017 to 2021. During that time, she also served on the executive leadership committee of the United Way of Illinois State Association Board of Directors. During her time on that board, Peters helped develop a CEO onboarding program and educational series to support local United Way leaders and staff across the state. Carole has also served as guest faculty at the United Way Great Rivers and Western Regional conferences.
Connect with Carole on LinkedIn!
Carole.Peters@uww.unitedway.org
Marketing, Communications, & Events Manager
Ivy Cirillo is a Bestselling Author, International Speaker, and Multipassionate Entrepreneur. She has over a decade of experience creating compelling content, executing impactful campaigns, and coordinating events that bring people together. She loves running experiments, analyzing data, and implementing strategic changes that drive results-oriented marketing. Identifying as a woman with AuDHD and multiple chronic illnesses, she's a fierce advocate for accessible marketing practices and inclusive business strategies.
Before joining NEXT, Ivy served as the Marketing Associate & Volunteer Coordinator for Sioux Empire United Way, Sioux Falls, SD, where she managed all of their digital marketing efforts and repositioned their Volunteer United group. Prior to her time with United Way, she worked as the Marketing & Events Coordinator for Nothing Bundt Cakes; Director of Marketing Operations at Be Known; and Sales, Marketing, and Operations Coordinator at PalmTech Computer Solutions.
Connect with Ivy on LinkedIn!
Ivy.Cirillo@uww.unitedway.org
Membership & Engagement Coordinator
Kerstin has over fifteen years of experience serving with nonprofits at both local and international organizations. Before joining NEXT, Kerstin served as the Executive Director at United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties. Prior to serving in the United Way network, Kerstin led program development at the world’s largest volunteer humanitarian association, Lions Clubs International.
Kerstin holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Political Science from Butler University and a master’s degree in Public Service with a specialization in Sustainable Community Development from DePaul University.
Connect with Kerstin on LinkedIn!
Kerstin.Rust@uww.unitedway.org