Honoring 35 Years of Belonging: Celebrating the People Who Inspire Connection
As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we’re reminded that our greatest strength has always been our people. Every conversation, mentorship, and friendship has shaped who we are today, and we’re proud to have built a diverse and inclusive community where everyone has a seat at the table.
This milestone year, members were invited to make a tribute gift in honor of someone who has made a lasting difference in their United Way journey. Thanks to our incredible members and supporters, we’ve received more than 100 tributes and raised over $18,600 toward our $35,000 goal!
To celebrate, we’re sharing a few heartfelt messages from our members that capture the spirit of belonging and connection at the heart of our community 💙
Words of Appreciation
Susan Gilmore
Honored by Barbara Edmond & Carole Peters
“You were the spark that made me really feel like I belonged to something much bigger than just my local organization. You opened the doors and that made all the difference. From then on, my relationship with the network just grew and grew... and the rest is history.
My tribute today seeks to make sure you know how special you were and are.
Susan Gilmore….Thank you, Thank you ...(in the words of Bette Midler)..the wind beneath my wings!!” - Barbara Edmond
“I would like to say thank you to Susan Gilmore who I met at my UWW CEO training, and she immediately gave me a hug and welcomed me. We had previously talked on the phone as she was with Familywize and served as their Executive Director. Susan embraced my ideas as a NEW CEO and found a way for my UW to participate in a Flu Shot Clinic that provided more than 150 individuals in our community with a free flu shot. This was all done through a partner agency which Familywize had not ever done before. My innovative idea caused Susan to say “We can do that”. I knew from that moment, on Susan and I would be friends for life no matter where our paths would take us.” - Carole Peters
Charles L. Hayes
Honored by Rob Reifsnyder
“Chuck Hayes passed away a number of years ago. If I could talk to him now I'd say, ‘Chuck, you welcomed me into United Way, and taught me so much about how United Way should work. You treated me like an equal when I clearly wasn't, and like a friend and family member. Thanks, Chuck.’”
Carole Watson
Honored by Juliet Clothier
“Carole was more than a mentor to me — she was a force for justice and compassion. She taught me what activism truly means: showing up, speaking out, and working tirelessly to make real change happen. Her lessons on courage, equity, and love for community continue to guide me every day. She lives on in my heart and in the work I do to honor her legacy.”
Rodney Prunty
Honored by Carole Peters
“I would like to say thank you to Rodney Prunty who I met in my second week of being at the United Way. Simply put, Rodney welcomed me with open arms and a big smile. He was kind, supportive, and always took my call whenever I needed extra support as a new CEO. I will be forever grateful to Rodney for his kindness and friendship.”
Pat Giles
Honored by Kerri Strauss
“Pat Giles, thank you for the incredible mentorship you offered me back in college. I looked up to you deeply in the Community Impact division at United Way of Berks County, and the lessons I learned from you - about community engagement, research, and leadership - have stayed with me ever since.
You played a pivotal role during my Master of Social Work journey, and your guidance helped shape not only my path within the United Way network but also the kind of nonprofit leader I’ve become. Your example continues to inspire me, and I’m so grateful for the time, wisdom, and encouragement you shared.”
George Bahamonde
Honored by Paula Gilberto
“My gift is in memory of George Bahamonde, the President and CEO of what was United Way of the Capital Area, Hartford, CT. George hired me and the eight years we worked together prior to his passing felt like a Master Class In All Things United Way. George embodied the values of United Way and inspired residents, community and corporate partners, government, volunteers and staff to see themselves as all being integral to building a stronger, just community. George also empowered his leadership team to manage our respective areas. As a result, the work of the organization carried on without interruption, allowing us to attend to our personal grief as a United Way family while I think of him often and with great appreciation for his mentorship, friendship, and introduction to my United Way career.”
Karen Walker
Honored by Carole Peters
“I would like to say thank you to Karen Walker who, following a UW Great Rivers Session, found my colleague Heather Arnold and I in the foyer and said, “Your session was the best one I have ever attended”. Heather and I were so taken back that someone felt our expertise and experience was valued that we invited Karen to spend time with us that evening.
From there we became great friends and, as part of the United Way of IL, we have stayed connected and every year at Great Rivers would take time to celebrate our friendship. Karen is now the board chair of the UW of IL, one role I highly recommended Karen for years ago. So thankful for Karen and our longstanding friendship.”
Mike Durkin
Honored by Paul DeBassio
“Mike, thank you for encouraging me to build my own network of colleagues across the United Way system. Those relationships helped me more than anything else in my development for Mass Bay and created the opportunity to take my career with United Way a step further at UWW. Thank you for helping me grow and letting me go.”
Shawna Van Wyhe
Honored by Ivy Cirillo
“Shawna, thank you for always making me feel valued in the workplace. You of all people know exactly what it looks like to do everything behind the scenes without recognition and you always made sure that I didn’t feel that way. Thank you for always answering my questions, staying late to chat with me, and cheering me on in my NEXT adventure. I couldn’t have done it without your friendship and support! You deserve the world.”
Carole Peters
Honored by Robert Ferriday III, Dick Aft, Karen Walker, Kerstin Rust, & Ivy Cirillo
“Carole: You have been a real blessing to not only me but also to United Way NEXT ever since you became our CEO! The positive energy you possess and your focus on doing whatever it takes is a model for all of us who work with you. As Treasurer, I felt you were so respectful of my position and you always listened to any suggestions I had with a view to be better in everything we did to keep the Board informed. Your constant networking and broadening of our reach has certainly paid big dividends, both financially and in member engagement. Finally, the programming of worthwhile learning offerings has greatly expanded under your leadership. You are just a top flight executive and we are so fortunate to have found you. Thank you for everything!” - Bob Ferriday
“Thank you, Carole, for your friendship and leadership in United Way. You’ve made me feel supported and valued from the moment we met at Great Rivers, and I’m so grateful to continue my United Way journey with such an inspiring leader. Thank you for all the work you put into creating a community that’s so inclusive and full of heart. I really value your guidance and support.” - Karen Walker
“Carole, thank you for welcoming me into UW NEXT with open arms. Not only did you provide me with this incredible opportunity to continue my United Way journey, but you made every step of the way accessible to me. Thank you for all of the work you put into fostering such a diverse and inclusive community. And thank you for always championing for me and celebrating the work we’re doing together. I’m grateful to have such an incredible leader like you in my corner!” - Ivy Cirillo
“Carole, thank you so much for your thoughtful leadership and kindness. When I first started as CEO at United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, I felt like I was living on an island. You were one of the first United Way leaders that I met, and the work you led in fostering collaboration and connection via United Way of Illinois was so helpful to me as a young leader. I’ve appreciated the chance to work more closely with you at UW NEXT. Thank you for being so welcoming and supportive of my journey with United Way.” - Kerstin Rust
Tom Morris, Sr.
Honored by Nancy Pinto
“What do we say to our Friend/Mentor/Connector Of People, now that we’ve missed you all these years. You nurtured so many of us and prodded us all to join UWRA (now UW NEXT) when we were all just starting out … one of the best things that Susan White Arnett and I did, by the way; along with listening to your sage advice through each season.
Thank you for always bringing people together, even sending your Agency Folks to UW trainings so that they could learn more in order to do better for the Communities that they served. Many of us “well seasoned” colleagues ALL have the most meaningful Tom Morris stories & memories. You embodied living the United Way, and we thank you for the ripple effect you made through our lives.”
Where It All Began
Just seven months ago, our 35th Anniversary Tribute campaign started with a simple act of generosity from Jeffrey Wilcox and his wife, Maria Chavez-Wilcox. Together they made matching gifts in honor of several United Way leaders that made a lasting impact in their lives. The gesture soon sparked a domino effect prompting:
A gift from Dick Aft, highlighted in “United Way NEXT Leaders Celebrate 35th Anniversary With Heartwarming Gift”
A tribute from Paul DeBassio and 20 anniversary memberships, spotlighted in “35 Years Of United Way NEXT: How Sponsored Memberships Strengthen Our Alumni And Professional Network”
In addition to their previous sentiments, Maria and Dick went on to share the following:
To Bill Mills, Joe Haggerty, Charles J. Devine, Rob Reifsnyder, and Dick Aft: “I want to express my deepest gratitude for believing in me and giving me opportunities to grow and learn from you. You were a great teacher, guide, and inspiration. I am grateful that even now, so many years later, I feel we are not only former colleagues but friends and could rely on you for your continued counsel. Thank you for your leadership and commitment, not only to our United Way, but in inspiring so many others to carry the torch beside you!” expressed Maria.
“I am pleased to honor the past and present staff leaders of United Way NEXT with my 35th Anniversary contribution. Having worked with each of them, I know how much they have meant to the United Way movement, its leaders, and to me,” said Dick Aft before continuing.
“Joan Dixon, Board Secretary from 1994 until 1997, who came to us from United Way of America where she made sure that every major meeting went smoothly and member relations were good ones.
Lyanne Wassermann, Executive Secretary from 1998-2001, who enriched United Way Retiree Association operations with skills she learned in senior positions with organizations ranging from B'nai B'rith Women’s National Office to the national Epilepsy Foundation.
Tricia Smith, Executive Director from 2002 until 2016, who built the foundation on which today’s association stands by forging the independence of past and present United Way leaders into a cohesive program of member services.
Amber Kelleher, Executive Director from 2017 until 2020, who forged a close working relationship with United Way Worldwide staff that positioned the association from a member-serving organization to a United Way movement-serving organization.
Keith Barsuhn, Acting President & CEO during 2021, who applied his years of local United Way leadership to setting the stage for an association of retirees to morph into a vibrant organization of United Way alumni.
Carole Peters, who has served as our President & CEOs since 2022 and energizes today’s United Way NEXT members as servants to the entire United Way movement with creative new programming for members, local United Way organizations, and United Way Worldwide.”
What the next 5 months look like
With plans to wrap up our 35th Anniversary Campaign at the end of March 2026, our hope is to continue shining a light on those who’ve joined us in celebrating this incredible community!
To join us in lifting up the United Way professionals and alumni who shaped your journey, we’d love for you to:
Make a tribute gift in honor of someone special
Sponsor a membership and welcome someone new into UW NEXT
Participate in our 35th Anniversary Social Media Challenge to share what UW NEXT means to you!