35th Anniversary Celebration Continues with United Way NEXT Board Retreat & Reception
Earlier this month, the United Way NEXT Board of Directors came together in Alexandria, VA, alongside team members Carole Peters, President & CEO, and Ivy Cirillo, Marketing, Communications, & Events Manager. This marked the first in-person meeting of the board since 2022, and it was the first time Carole and Ivy had the chance to meet off-screen!
A Warm Welcome and a Full Agenda
Festivities kicked off Monday evening with an informal dinner hosted by Carole and Ivy at the hotel restaurant, where early arrivals shared stories, laughs, and a few toasts. It was a great way to ease into what would be a meaningful and energizing two days.
The official retreat began Tuesday morning and continued through Wednesday at noon. From thought-provoking questions to heartfelt discussions, the agenda was carefully crafted to build momentum for the year ahead. On Tuesday evening, we hosted a special 35th Anniversary Reception at TJ Stones, where board members, alumni, colleagues, and select members of United Way Worldwide joined us for a joyful evening of connection.
“Being in the same room together allowed us to think big, reflect deeply, and recommit to what makes this community so special,” shared Carole.
UW NEXT Member Patrick Jinks facilitating Day 1 of the 2025 Board Retreat.
Goals, Achievements, and Highlights
The retreat provided a much-needed space to align on shared goals, reset expectations, and celebrate how far we’ve come. Our hope was to lay a strong foundation for the next 18-36 months and we succeeded.
Together we revisited our “why,” mapped out key stakeholders, and identified areas of opportunity within the organization. We reflected on the evolution of UW NEXT, explored our short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals, and created space for everyone in the room to be heard.
In the spirit of lifting up others, 2025 Board Chair, Paul DeBassio announced that board member Jeffrey Wilcox and his wife Maria had generously offered to match their original $1,750 tribute gift to kick off the anniversary campaign with a remarkable $3,500 donation. Inspired by their generosity, Paul also committed to sponsoring 20 UW NEXT members at the $100 Leadership Giving Circle level, further highlighting our shared commitment to growing a rich and diverse community of United Way professionals.
“Jeffrey and Maria’s gift set the tone for the campaign—generous, personal, and rooted in the spirit of tribute,” said Paul. “It’s a reminder of the lasting impact we can make, together.”
UW NEXT members connecting over drinks at the Sheraton hotel in Old Town Alexandria, VA.
Making Connections That Matter
Throughout the retreat, we had plenty of opportunities to foster meaningful connections. Whether it was catching up over dinner, mingling during breaks, or chatting over coffee, these moments brought fresh perspectives and an abundance of energy during our time together.
We were thrilled to welcome several United Way professionals and alumni who stopped by to say hello, share stories, and take part in the celebration, including colleagues from United Way Worldwide. This gathering also marked a special milestone, not only did we find ourselves in the same room as five generations of UW NEXT Board Chairs, but four generations of UW NEXT CEOs too! It was a powerful reminder of our legacy and the leadership that continues to carry it forward.
UW NEXT Board Chairs Deborah, Barbara, Ed, Paul (Current), and Ann (Future).
Celebrating Belongingness
At the end of our final day, board member Jeffrey Wilcox posed a heartfelt challenge to everyone in the room: name the person who first made you feel like you belonged in the United Way family. One by one, everyone shared their stories, and touching moments filled the room.
Jeffrey then invited each of us to make a $350 tribute gift in honor of that person.
“As a board of directors, if we’re going to celebrate belongingness, we need to honor those who made us feel like we belonged,” he said. “Let’s not wait to make memorials—let’s make tributes now.”
Moved by the moment, Marketing Work Group Chair, Neil Parekh offered to help launch a social media campaign to support the tribute movement and inspire others to share their stories. We’ll be sharing more about how you can join us in this movement of gratitude and belonging. To stay in the loop, be sure to sign up for our newsletter or keep an eye on our 35th anniversary page.
Carole Peters, Rob Reifsynder, Terry Tolan, Paul DeBassio, and Patrick Jinks.
Acknowledgements & Appreciation
This retreat wouldn’t have been possible without the care and commitment of several individuals:
We are deeply grateful to our planning committee: Rob Reifsnyder, Terry Tolan, and Paul DeBassio, whose vision and leadership brought this retreat to life.
Thank you to our facilitator, Patrick Jinks, who led our sessions with care and insight. And who, after hearing Jeffrey’s challenge, shared how moved he was & in turn, donated his time at the retreat to UW NEXT. Patrick is a 20-year UW alumnus who is now a Board Certified Executive Coach and President of The Leader’s Perspective.
And a very special thanks to Andrea Sok, UW NEXT member and Founder & CEO of Sok Influencer PR, who generously sponsored our 35th Anniversary Reception beverage experience. Her support allowed every guest to enjoy a drink on the house and helped make the celebration that much more special!
Carole Peters, Andrea Sok, and Paul DeBassio at UW NEXT's 35th Anniversary Reception.
Ready to Get Involved?
There are three simple ways you can carry the spirit of this retreat forward:
Make a Tribute Gift – Donate $350, or any meaningful amount, in honor of the person who made you feel like you belonged in the United Way family.
Share your story of belonging with us – Tell us who welcomed you into the fold, and why it mattered. Stay tuned as we launch this initiative to lift up the people and moments that shape our community.
Sponsor an Event – Want to help us create meaningful experiences for our UW NEXT members? Contact us at info@unitedwaynext.org to see how you can support future webinars and in-person gatherings.
It was an unforgettable few days and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make it possible. We left Alexandria with full hearts, renewed focus, and shared excitement for what’s to come. As we celebrate 35 years of connection, leadership, and belonging, one thing is clear: United Way NEXT is just getting started!