A Stellar Year of Impact And Gratitude For United Way NEXT

Looking back on the past year, we’re filled with gratitude for what this community made possible. Every milestone reached was the result of a united effort from our members, volunteers, donors, partners, and staff. Along the way, our 35th Anniversary gave us the chance to reflect, celebrate how far we’ve come, and recognize the people who continue to shape this community every day.

What We Accomplished

Together, we made remarkable progress by strengthening connections, expanding opportunities, and reinforcing the value of staying engaged in the network.

In 2025, we:

• Welcomed 129 new members into UW NEXT

• Connected with 425+ individual members & 150+ local United Way members

• Hosted 41 events with 911 attendees, 2,021 registrations, & 3,161 YouTube views

• Celebrated 150+ United Way colleagues with 35th Anniversary tributes & donations 

• Launched the Consultant Collaborative with 55 Founding Members

• Matched 45+ mentors with current United Way staff and alumni

• Served 59 people with our NEXT Chapter Chats

“For three years, the members of the Engage and Exchange Work Group have worked to bring relevant content and meaningful engagement to United Way staff, alumni, and retirees,” said Terry Tolan, E&E Work Group Co-Chair. “One of our proudest moments happened in 2025, with the launch of the Consultants Collaborative, attracting nearly 60 members in just a few months. This is an exciting opportunity for our professionals doing consulting to network, grow, and learn together.”

These accomplishments reflect what’s possible when members step forward, share their expertise, and collaborate with intention.

Initiatives and Milestones That Expanded Our Impact

2025 also brought meaningful progress through new initiatives and investments designed to strengthen our members’ experience.

We proudly launched our new sponsorship program, securing support from two new sponsors: FrontStream and Interim Executives Academy, alongside our long-standing partner Mutual of America. With each investment allowing us to expand professional development offerings between our virtual events and mentorship programs.

Our April Board Retreat and 35th Anniversary Reception in Alexandria, Virginia allowed us to reconnect with our mission, collaborate with past colleagues, and deepened the relationships that continue to guide our work.

Behind the scenes, we also welcomed two talented new staff members, Ivy Cirillo and Kerstin Rust. Alongside President & CEO Carole Peters, their leadership has strengthened communication, expanded membership, and enhanced the overall member experience.

Bulletin Board collage featuring photos of UW NEXT team members & volunteers throughout 2025.

Powered by Volunteers and Community

"United Way NEXT is so fortunate to have committed members who volunteer their time to support the various programs offered. None of what we do is done alone,” shared Carole Peters. “It truly requires a dedicated team of passionate people who invest countless hours each year. From the board of directors, work group members, mentors, planned giving faculty, guest speakers, authors of articles, and everyone in between - thank you!!” 

“From the bottom of my heart, I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has worked so diligently this past year to help us achieve our goals and impact thousands of UW colleagues and friends. I am honored to work alongside each of you and so very proud of all we have accomplished together,” Carole continued.

Below, we proudly recognize the 115+ volunteers who supported UW NEXT in 2025:

• BOD Officers

  • Paul DeBassio, Board Chair

  • Ed Rivera, Immediate Past Chair

  • Ann Fox, Chair-Elect

  • DJ Hampton II, Treasurer

  • Kerri Strauss, Secretary

• Board of Directors

  • Dick Aft, Emeritus

  • Keith Barsuhn

  • Deborah Bayle

  • Paula Gilberto

  • Kiran Handa Gaudioso

  • David Nicole

  • Neil Parekh

  • Dona Ponepinto

  • Rodney Prunty

  • Rob Reifsnyder

  • Darlene Slaughter

  • Terry Tolan

  • Jeffrey Wilcox

  • James Yu

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Work Group

  • David Nicole, Co-Chair

  • Deborah Zuloaga, Co-Chair

  • Anne Wilson

  • Darlene Slaughter

  • Dona Ponepinto

  • Jeffrey Wilcox

  • Roger Frick

  • Zina Allen

• Engage and Exchange Work Group

  • Rodney Prunty, Co-Chair

  • Terry Tolan, Co-Chair

  • Barb Wentworth

  • Beth Terry

  • Bonnie Duncan

  • Charlene Mouille

  • Diane Lebson

  • Geniro Dingle

  • Jenny Palazio

  • Jim Yu

  • Patrick Jinks

  • Susan Eckert

• Finance Work Group

  • DJ Hampton II, Chair

  • Benton Clark

  • ​Bob Ferriday

  • Ed Rivera

  • Juliet Clothier

  • Kiran Handa Gaudioso

  • Liz Thornton

• Marketing Work Group

  • Neil Parekh, Chair

  • Deborah Bayle

  • Kim Scheeler

  • Paula Gilberto

  • Susan Dunn
    

• Resource Development / Member Recruitment Work Group

  • Keith Barsuhn, Co-Chair

  • Kyle Rahn, Co-Chair

  • Kerri Strauss, Co-Chair

  • Ed Rivera

  • Mike Durkin

  • Paul DeBassio

  • Rob Reifsnyder

  • Tonja Couch

• Nominating Work Group

  • Ed Rivera, Chair

  • Ann Fox

  • Deborah Zuloaga

  • Diane Lebson

  • DJ Hampton II

  • Edwin Goutier

  • Paul DeBassio

  • Rodney Prunty

• Member Segment Value Work Group

  • Ann Fox, Co-Chair

  • Kelli Kreps, Co-Chair

  • Edwin Goutier

• Consultant Collaborative Leadership Team

  • Patrick Jinks, Chair

  • Amy Dinofrio

  • Diane Lebson

  • Jeffrey Wilcox

  • Lindsay Fox

  • Naomi Asher

  • Terry Tolan

  • Trent Caldwell

• Guest Presenters/Facilitators

  • Amy Dinofrio

  • Andrea Sok

  • Ann Fox

  • Anna Murphy

  • Barb Wentworth

  • Barbara Saverino

  • Beni Westgor

  • Betsy Block

  • Bill Mills

  • Blake Allison

  • Bonnie Wallace

  • Brian Hassett

  • Brian Quail

  • Brook Manville

  • Carla Crossno

  • Carol Burger

  • Darlene Slaughter

  • Dawn Helmrich

  • Deborah Zuloaga

  • Denise Fleckenstein

  • Dick Aft

  • Eve Powell

  • Jason Daniels

  • Jeff Stec

  • Jen Hsu-Bishop

  • Jenny Palazio

  • Josh Dickson

  • Juliet Clothier

  • Kate Reed

  • Kathleen Wolf

  • Katie Koglman

  • Kelly Jasen

  • Kristi Shepard

  • Maggie McDonald

  • Patrick Jinks

  • Paul DeBassio

  • Paul Towne

  • Rochelle Zeidman

  • Roma Bose

  • Shemagne O'Keefe Mullins

  • Sherry Sanchez-Tibbitts

  • Susan Sutherland

  • Teresa Hall Bartels

  • Terry Tolan

  • Todd Western

  • Tom Lowrey

  • Tonja Couch

  • Trent Caldwell

  • Wainie Youn

  • Wes Wicker

  • Winston Faircloth

• Relationship Managers

  • Ann Breidenstein

  • Ann Fox

  • Barbara Edmond

  • Bob Ferriday

  • Brian Hassett

  • Carl Zapora

  • Carole Peters

  • Chris Martin

  • Cynthia Round

  • Dallas Mudd

  • Dan Dunne

  • David Nicole

  • Deborah Bayle

  • Deborah Zuloaga

  • Dick Aft

  • DJ Hampton

  • DonaPonepinto

  • Ed John

  • Ed Rivera

  • Frank Hagel

  • Jeffrey Stec

  • Jim Yu

  • Juliet Clothier

  • Keith Barsuhn

  • Kelli Kreps

  • Kerri Strauss

  • Kyle Rahn

  • Paul DeBassio

  • Paula Gilberto

  • Rob Reifsnyder

  • Robert Hines

  • Rochelle Zeidman

  • Rodney Prunty

  • Susan Dunn

  • Teresa Hall Bartels

  • Terry Tolan

• Planned Giving Faculty / Mentors

  • Ann Fox

  • Bob Ferriday

  • Carla Crossno

  • Chuck Gordon

  • DJ Hampton II

  • Dan Dunne

  • Denise Fleckenstein

  • Ed John

  • Even Powell

  • Janet Clarkson Davis

  • Jeffrey Stec, JD

  • Joyce Wilbur

  • Karsten Halusa

  • Keith Barsuhn

  • Kristi Shepard

  • Monica Estabrook

  • Ned Montgomery

  • Rochelle Zeidman

  • Roma Bose

  • Tim Allison

  • Tom Brown

  • Wes Wicker

• Assigned CEO/Staff Mentors:

  • Andrea Daugherty

  • Andrea Sok

  • Andrew Konkel

  • Barb Wentworth

  • Benton Clark

  • Beth Watson

  • Cecily Strickland-Ruiz

  • Chuck Gordon

  • Danielle Liebried

  • David Lewis

  • DJ Hampton

  • Elizabeth Angeles

  • Emily Johnston

  • Jeremy Wingerter

  • Josh Kilgas

  • Kristi Shepard

  • Lindsay Fox

  • Lisa Cofer

  • Michele Vaughn

  • Nina Buenavista

  • Paula Gilberto

  • Roma Bose

  • Tom Guiltinan

  • Zina Allen

To every volunteer, donor, sponsor, and partner, thank you! Your willingness to show up, lead, and invest in this community ensures UW NEXT continues to evolve and inspire.

Continuing the Celebration and Staying Engaged

2025 may be over, but our 35th Anniversary celebration continues through March 31st! We invite you to stay engaged and celebrate in ways that feel meaningful to you:

• Join us for the last 35th Anniversary Social Hour on February 12th

• Attend an upcoming personal or professional development session

• Share a tribute honoring a colleague, mentor, or leader who shaped your journey

• Consider becoming a mentor, joining a work group, or partnering with us

• Explore 8 ways to make a difference by giving back

But most of all, keep showing up with purpose, generosity, and heart for UW NEXT, the United Way network, and beyond 💙