Making Connections: Featuring 4 United Way NEXT members
United Way NEXT is proud to connect current and former United Way professionals throughout a rich community of diverse members. In this installment of Making Connections, friends and former colleagues will get to read the stories and reflections from Liz Thornton, Ann Fox, Angela Marino, & Jason Daniels.
Liz Thornton
Member Segment: United Way Retiree
My name is Liz Thornton and I am the former (retired) Controller of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette in Portland, Oregon. I’ve been very fortunate to work in accounting (both for profit as well as non-profit) for my entire career and ending that career in such a positive way with such an amazing organization was the cherry on the top.
When I was in high school in the mid-to-late ‘70’s, I took a beginning bookkeeping class and fell in love. I ended up taking three more bookkeeping classes and other business-related classes and, when I graduated, received a “Certificate of Proficiency” in Accounting. After graduating, I went straight into the business world and was able to get a job as an accounting clerk for a bank. I was able to move up into more progressive positions and eventually through many starts and stops (including having children and starting a construction company, and getting several college degrees), I tripped into my first non-profit accounting manager position and found I really enjoyed working for non-profits.
Fast forward to the end of my career, I was laid off of from the job I hoped to have until I retired, and found myself in the role of Controller for the United Way. Accounting principles are different for United Way, mostly because of the Pledge Processing and numerous grants UWCW had and, because of that, I learned a lot in the almost three years I worked with them.
Just before I retired, I attended a Regional United Way conference and was introduced to Carole Peters and NEXT. Through UW NEXT, I can continue to share that knowledge with other smaller United Ways by advising and consulting. It keeps my brain active and keeps me busy in retirement! So far, it’s all been pro bono and that’s okay. Who knows what the future brings but for now, I’m happy I can help others!
Ann Fox
Member Segment: United Way Alumni
I made my way to United Way while working at my first professional role out of college.
I was serving as the Public Relations Director for a United Way-funded agency in Reading, PA, and had an opportunity to volunteer on the United Way of Berks County’s Marketing Committee. The rest is history! After volunteering for UWBC for seven years, I was asked by the CEO, Karen Rightmire, to join the staff as the Leadership Giving Manager. I knew in my gut this was the right move for me.
I worked at United Way of Berks County leading the Leadership Giving and Tocqueville program until 2003 when I joined United Way of Greater Portland (ME) (now United Way of Southern Maine) to serve as the Chief Development Officer. In 2005 I had the opportunity to join United Way of America (now United Way Worldwide) as the VP of Major Gifts. I left United Way Worldwide in 2013. Along the way I made lifelong friends and professional connections that transcend United Way.
United Way NEXT has been a great way to reconnect with so many people with whom I shared a common bond around our work to improve lives and communities. I have Barbara Edmond to thank for encouraging me to join the NEXT movement and to become active in the organization.
Angela Marino
Member Segment: United Way Alumni
My United Way journey started more than 20 years ago at United Way of the Ozarks as a summer intern, writing the newsletter, supporting communications, and helping plan their Day of Caring. (One memorable task: placing chocolates next to every board packet, an early lesson in how the smallest details can help set the tone.) I didn’t know it at the time, but that summer would shape the trajectory of my career.
After college, I moved back to St. Louis and landed a full-time role as Major Gifts Associate and never looked back. Over the next 18 years, I served in a variety of leadership roles, ultimately becoming Chief Marketing and Major Gifts Officer at United Way of Greater St. Louis. In that role, I had the privilege of helping lead our organization into its next era, an experience that deepened my love for strategy, storytelling, and organizational change.
That love is what brought me to UW NEXT. After launching my own consulting practice in 2022, I wanted to stay connected to this network of brilliant, mission-driven professionals who understand both the complexity and the possibility of leading in this space. Today, I partner with nonprofit CEOs and leadership teams who are navigating competing priorities, scattered messaging, and the challenge of getting everyone on the same page. I help them create alignment from the inside out so their teams, boards, and stakeholders can move forward together.
The value of UW NEXT is personal to me. It’s a reminder of where I started and who I want to continue to be: someone committed to meaningful work, collaborative leadership, and learning in good company.
Outside of work, I love reading memoirs and nonfiction, hiking in the mountains (when I can get to them!), and attempting to keep my teenager off a screen. If you ever want to talk nonprofit leadership, messaging strategy, or your next favorite read, I’d love to connect.
Jason Daniels
Member Segment: United Way Alumni
United Way was my third professional role, where I started as a Resource Development Officer, managing public sector accounts. From there, I transitioned into leading community impact, strategy, and engagement work, eventually becoming Executive Vice President. I had the privilege of working alongside some of the best in the field. My then-friend, now wife of 17 years, told me to apply – glad I listened!
UW NEXT was an easy yes for me because Carole is the ultimate connector. Her leadership pulled me in, and the energy of the group kept me engaged. Knowing that respected leaders like Bill Mills, Mary E. Tyler, Paul DeBassio, Ed Rivera, and others were involved, sealed the deal. And throughout my career and now, retired United Way CEO Janet Jackson has been a constant mentor. She once told me when I met her for the first time, “Do meaningful work” and that’s been a guiding principle all these years.
What I enjoy most about this community is the support, the diverse perspectives, and the gracious spirit that everyone brings. It’s a natural fit in my personal portfolio of giving back.
NEXT brings incredible value to both my personal and professional life. It keeps me connected to a global network of thinkers, doers, and legacy builders. It sharpens my lens for innovation and real-time leadership challenges while anchoring me to a mission I deeply believe in.
Outside of running my company, JAYRAMON, my life revolves around my 13-year-old daughter—driving her to swim meets, meetings, and volunteer projects, if that counts as a hobby. I'm a lifelong reader and currently enjoying Reality-Based Leadership and No Ego by Cy Wakeman, along with longtime favorites like The Purpose Driven Life and I love anything from author Brene Brown.
We hope you've enjoyed reading about your fellow United Way NEXT members! If you'd like to connect with them individually, we encourage you to join our LinkedIn and Facebook groups 💙
PS. If you're interested in sharing your own story in the NEXT installment of our Making Connections series, please email Ivy Cirillo!