With Gratitude: Reflections From United Way NEXT CEO Carole Peters

Nov 11

United Way NEXT Friends,

I have often shared openly with those in my life that November is my favorite month of the year because Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday for me. The moment the calendar turns to November every year, I immediately think about the people who have touched my life in such a positive way. From family to friends, former colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances – no matter our relationships – the people are the treasured gifts in my life.

As CEO of UW NEXT, it is so important to me to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the people who have so generously given from the heart. Making meaningful connections and forming new friendships is what makes being a part of UW NEXT so rewarding. With continued focus on building this community filled with meaningful connections, valued resources and continuous enhancements to make a difference, it is all centered around the people.

UW NEXT Board of Directors at 2025 Board Retreat.

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our 2026 UW NEXT Board of Directors, especially our executive committee and officers: Paul DeBassio, Outgoing Chair; Ann Fox, Board Chair; Kiran Handa Gaudioso, Incoming Chair; Paula Gilberto, Secretary; and DJ Hampton II, Treasurer. Thank you for your leadership, investment of time, and generous support. You are treasured leaders of our UW NEXT community.

To all of our Board Members, Dick Aft, Jason Daniels, Edwin Goutier, Brian Hassett, Jessica Muroff, David Nicole, Neil Parekh, Dona Ponepinto, Rodney Prunty, Jessica Safransky Schact, Darlene Slaughter, Terry Tolan, Jeffrey Wilcox, and Jim Yu. Thank you for your service, commitment, and generous support. You are treasured leaders of our UW NEXT community.

To the countless volunteers who serve on work groups, as mentors, authors of articles, guest speakers, and peer-to-peer connectors to Local United Way staff – you are cherished and so highly regarded by all whose lives you have touched. None of what we do could be done without each of you.

To the Leadership Giving Circle members, thank you for your commitment to supporting UW NEXT with such generous hearts. This has allowed UW NEXT to continue connecting our members through exceptional programming, valued resources, and this treasured community.

To our Consultant Collaborative Members, thank you for your continued investment in UW NEXT as well as your collaboration, connection, and support to all who benefited from exploring what’s possible with such thoughtful leaders. Pure joy is seeing the successful launch of this program over the last year with nearly 90 consultants who have said yes to being a part of this incredible program, now seen by the UW network as a top talent pool of consultants, coaches and contractors. A special thank you to the Leadership Team who have served over the past 18 months and Patrick Jinks and Jeffrey Wilcox for serving as 2026 Co-Chairs.

To the United Way NEXT staff, Kerstin Rust and Ivy Cirillo, who have poured their hearts into this community over the past 18 months. We have been blessed by your presence and I will be forever grateful to have such talented professionals to serve alongside. I would also like to offer a special thank you to Michelle Endvick, Kate Farrell, Amy Welnak, Rachel Mahurin, Eric Crammond, Laura Rutter, Kelly O’Neill, Xyelle Amidis, Lenai Mejia, and Jessica Rodriguez, who are all a part of our extended team at UW NEXT. They each hold a key piece of the big puzzle, behind the scenes with mail pickup, check deposits, membership processing, newsletter edits, website updates, administrative support, and bookkeeping. We appreciate each of you!

To our members, thank you for being a part of this community. We are blessed by all the talented, caring, and very generous UW former and current professionals who choose to be a part of United Way NEXT. To our retirees who have served long-standing careers all over the country, thank you for your dedication and commitment! To our alumni who have been a part of this amazing network for one-to-many years and treasure their experiences in the United Way, thank you for joining us.

UW NEXT Board Members at the National ALICE Summit

To our current United Way employees and each Local United Way who chooses to invest in our bright future, thank you for being a part of this community that embraces you. We are cheering you on today and always!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you! I am proud of the culture within UW NEXT where we can create space for open conversations, meaningful connections, and a real sense of belonging. My days at UW NEXT are so rewarding, filled with joy, and you truly make me feel a part of this United Way family.

I hope to see you at our final event of the year, and to thank you once more as we celebrate 36 years of United Way NEXT! Be sure to register for our Year-End Social Hour hosted by Ann Fox and Kiran Handa Gaudioso.