United Way NEXT Reflects on the Inaugural Northeast Regional Conference

Some of the most meaningful conference moments can happen during conversations over breakfast, between sessions, in breakout rooms, and while reconnecting with colleagues who understand the unique challenges and opportunities that United Way professionals face.

That spirit was on full display at the inaugural Northeast Regional Conference (NERC), held June 1-3 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. With over 450+ attendees and 13 states represented, the conference created a chance for leaders to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and strengthen the relationships that help communities thrive.

For United Way NEXT, NERC represented everything that makes our network special: shared experiences, lifelong connections, and a commitment to helping one another succeed. President & CEO Carole Peters was lucky enough to attend the conference, connecting with new and prospective members, sponsors, and consultants while sharing our organization’s mission.

Collage featuring photos of Carole Peters, Lexi Savage, Peter Gannon, John Farden, & Marci Lesko.

Presentations to Remember

Thanks to the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, United Way of Pennsylvania, and the NERC planning committee as well as the conference Co-Chairs (Marci Lesko and Peter Gannon), the inaugural conference featured keynote speakers, leadership panels, network opportunities, and breakout sessions focused on fundraising, donor engagement, economic mobility, marketing, strategic planning, volunteer engagement, and community impact. 

One session that especially resonated with attendees was Healthy Communities: Meeting Community Needs and Making Community Changes. Therese Daley, CEO of United Way of New York State, reflected on hearing Timothy Hafner, Director of Community Initiatives for Broome County, discuss the challenges of sustaining local funding.

“It was such a powerful and proud moment, seeing their resilience, creativity and persistence to service those in the community despite the lack of resources."

Another attendee, Holly Maki, Vice President of Corporate Engagement at Granite United Way, left inspired after attending Fundraisers That Deliver: Driving Revenue & Cultivating Brand Affinity Through Events with Kate Blackburn, Tierra Fair & Michelle Hantman

“Their presentation made me excited about looking at events a little differently — maximizing sponsorships, with sponsorship being the ONLY way to have a seat at the event — and I loved hearing about the youth summits held in Delaware."

Collage featuring photos of Carole with UW of NY State, Tierra Fair, the leadership panel, & Michelle Hantman.

The Power of Storytelling 

On the final afternoon of NERC, Carole presented Leveraging Data & Storytelling to Create AHA Moments in Your Community, helping attendees explore how meaningful stories paired with data can strengthen donor relationships, elevate fundraising conversations, and inspire action. 

Though many conferences see attendance taper off on the final day, Carole was thrilled to find the room filled with engaged participants eager to learn and share ideas. “Every community has unique challenges, but when we come together and share what's working, we all become stronger,” commented Carole. “Storytelling has the power to create those AHA moments that inspire action, and it was exciting to see those conversations continue well beyond the presentation itself,” she continued.

In fact, Patrick Kerley, Communications and Development Specialist at United Way of Broome County, described NERC as one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. 

“From hearing Carole Peters speak about the power of effective storytelling to learning about the transformative work of United for ALICE and its impact through the United Way of Northern New Jersey, I came away inspired and energized,” he stated. “I'm returning home with fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a wealth of knowledge that I'm excited to bring back and apply in service to my community!"

Leadership & Mentorship in Action 

Speaking of United Way of Northern New Jersey, one of the conference’s most memorable moments came during the Leading Together CEO Panel, featuring Courtney Yeager, CEO of United Way of Kennebec Valley; Grace Bonilla, CEO of United Way of New York City; Franklyn Baker, CEO of United Way of Central Maryland; and UW NEXT Chair-Elect Kiran Handa Gaudioso, CEO of UWNNJ. 

During the discussion, Courtney reflected on how mentorship through UW NEXT helped shape her own leadership journey. 

“When I was considering applying for a CEO role, I had the opportunity to learn from experienced United Way leaders like Susan Dunn, who served as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut from 2006 until her retirement in April 2016. It was an incredible gift,” she shared. “There is so much institutional knowledge and expertise within this network, and I believe we have a responsibility to share that knowledge with others,” she commented.

Like Courtney, we believe that our greatest strength is our people and we look forward to having her serve as a mentor 🫶🏻

Collage featuring photos of Carole with UW NEXT Board Members, Consultant Collaborative members, & more.

Strengthening the Network

Beyond the educational sessions, NERC created countless opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen partnerships, and build new relationships. Not to mention, seeing dozens of UW NEXT members, Board Members, & Consultant Collaborative members represented throughout the conference, including Michelle Hantman, Heather Reed, Eric Crammond, Chris Preston, Sarah Walsh, and leaders from United Way of Southeastern Connecticut.

For Mark Skala, President & CEO of Cape and Islands United Way, having the opportunity to connect with colleagues throughout the United Way network and beyond is “one of the most valuable parts of any conference.”

“Making those connections, sharing experiences and successes, as well as attending a number of informative learning sessions helped reinforce the path we are on and also offered new insights as it relates to corporate support and engagement,” he continued.

Staying Connected

As the inaugural Northeast Regional Conference came to a close, attendees returned home with new ideas, renewed energy, and stronger relationships that will continue long after their time in Bethlehem.

Grateful for the opportunity to amplify the work of United Way NEXT and our members, we’re excited to see how this new regional tradition continues to grow. And of course, how the connections made at NERC will continue creating a more impactful network for years to come 💙

PS. Whether you attended the conference, participated in one of Carole’s presentations, or simply stumbled upon this article, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to connect with us on LinkedIn or email us directly at info@unitedwaynext.org.

Collage featuring photos of Carole with UW NEXT Members, sponsors, & colleagues.