MAKING CONNECTIONS
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Diane Lebson
Member Segment United Way Alumni When I was younger, I believed that my life of service would be in the U.S. Foreign Service. However, that view changed when I joined a sorority and was elected its philanthropy chair. Little did I realize how that decision would change my career trajectory. After college, I pivoted in my job search and was fortunate that United Way of America (UWA; UWW’s predecessor) took a chance on me – I am specifically grateful to Bob O’Connor and Linda Naiditch for hiring me onto the research team. From there, my career became a Forest Gumpian adventure: I helped manage a literacy grant from the Knight Foundation and served two national executives as Governance Director. While staffing the national Board of Trustees, Board Chair Dr. Johnnetta Cole asked me to be her staff partner in catapulting the nascent women’s giving program into what is today Women United, a movement of over 70,000 female philanthropists that has to date invested over $2 billion in communities around the world. From there, I was recruited to lead major giving for the United Way of the National Capital Area in Washington, DC, the last role in my 17-year career in the movement. Today, I run a national philanthropic consultancy from Camden, Maine, and teach nonprofit management at the University of Maine’s School of Policy and International Affairs. At some point, I realized that I had transitioned from merely working at United Way to having United Way in my blood. The way I approach my nonprofit engagements and teach my classes is grounded in how I grew up in the United Way. It doesn’t matter how long you work in the system to cross that Rubicon – but you know once you do. And United Way NEXT is there for all of us who share that in common. |
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Edwin Goutier
Member Segment: United Way Alumni What does it mean to be a United Way “lifer”? I spent 15 years working for United Way, both at the local level and at United Way Worldwide. At some point, I was inspired by colleagues who celebrated decades of experience within the network and decided I, too, wanted to be a United Way lifer. But in 2022, I decided to venture out on my own to lead an impact-focused tech startup. Instead of giving up on my goal of being a United Way lifer, perhaps it’s time to redefine what that phrase means. My United Way experience didn’t start when I began working for United Way of North Central Florida in 2008. I grew up in a low-income household and benefited from United Way-funded programs early in my life. Whether it was receiving presents at Christmas or accessing subsidized childcare, United Way was there for me. My mom also worked for the largest United Way-funded nonprofit in my hometown for over 30 years. I was stunned during a visit home to learn that she knew more about ALICE than I did! Despite the hectic grind of entrepreneurship, I’ve stayed connected to the United Way network. This includes volunteering with United Way of Chester County’s innovation committee as they launch the exciting Social Innovation Lab to spark new solutions in their area. I’ve also continued donating to several United Ways doing incredible work for communities I care deeply about. Just as importantly, I’ve carried my personal connections from United Way with me. I keep in touch with former bosses, team members, and network leaders who inspired me. I even married a former UWW colleague. Our wedding officiant was my then-supervisor, and I’m thrilled to be part of his wedding next year. Given the profound impact United Way has had on my life—and the ways I hope to continue contributing to United Way—it feels limiting to define my lifer status by where I work. I’m grateful to United Way NEXT for helping me reimagine what it means to be a United Way lifer and for supporting me as I achieve my goal. |
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Wamite Muthara
Member Segment: United Way Alumni I joined United Way early in my career and spent most of my 15-year tenure working on developing United Ways outside the United States. Initially, I was recruited to support a major gifts program, but my roles evolved significantly during my time there. Following the merger of United Way International and United Way of America, my responsibilities expanded as I became the internal partner for non-U.S. regional offices. Eventually, I focused on enabling the development of offices across Africa and leading United Way’s expansion efforts in the Caribbean. While working in Kenya, I became fascinated by tech innovations that addressed social challenges. This sparked my interest in the tech sector, though it would be years before I formally entered the field. My opportunity came when United Way partnered with Salesforce, allowing me to shift my career focus and work with a team committed to making that partnership thrive. My experience in Kenya, paired with the entrepreneurial spirit needed to launch the new United Ways, became the catalyst for my current work. Since then, I have worked at tech companies focused on social and environmental impact, building partnerships that empower clients to succeed. I also created my own platform, Career Safari, which celebrates the diversity and complexity of women’s career journeys. My path with United Way may be considered unique, but it’s this atypical journey that shows the network’s inclusiveness. Now, as a member of UW Next, it’s exciting to reconnect with peers across the organization. I look forward to contributing and seeing how it continues to grow. |
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William “Bill” Mills
Member Segment: United Way Retiree My professional journey with United Way started in the mid-70s when I stumbled upon a brochure that described a new program, United Way of America's Kellogg Fellows/Internship. As I read about the program, I became excited because the organization's mission really appealed to me! I applied, interviewed, and was accepted into the fellow's program. As a fellow, I spent the initial six months in Detroit learning basic fundraising skills and the last six months in Griffith, Indiana, learning planning and fund distribution competencies. After completing the year-long program, I was hired as an agency consultant with United Community Services in Detroit reporting to Myron Liner, UW retiree and former UWRA board member. He was a great supervisor related to my continuous learning, and I enjoyed meeting and working with diverse volunteer leaders who made funding recommendations to the board for approved agencies. These agencies provided vital services to people needing help in the community! Interestingly enough in the late 1970s, I was in Atlanta for the Christmas holidays and gave Dick Aft, UW retiree and UW NEXT board member emeritus a call. He was the associate executive of the United Way of Atlanta at that time. We met at a national conference in Boston. That meeting over lunch led to me interviewing and later accepting the position of regional training director for the Volunteer Leadership Development Program with United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. This program was also funded by the Kellogg Foundation. Its focus was strengthening volunteer leadership within the nonprofit sector by offering various seminars. In that position, working with Dick Aft, I learned enhanced leadership skills. After five rewarding years, I was recruited to serve as a senior training consultant with United Way of America/ United Way Worldwide. Later, I was promoted to Vice President of Talent Management/ Executive Search. That role afforded me the opportunity to constantly make connections with United Way executives and leadership volunteers from across the network in the recruitment of United Way CEOs. It also required working with my team to develop various career programs for all levels of professionals within the network. My long tenure in that role was extremely fulfilling up until my retirement in 2011. I still get periodic calls, emails, or text messages from professionals as well as retirees recognizing the value of their participation in various career development programs. Since retirement, I have continued my connection with UW by maintaining membership and being an active volunteer with UW NEXT. I served as a former board member, have been involved with various work groups, and participated, as well as facilitated, various virtual events. This has been an excellent way of staying in touch with old colleagues as well as meeting new members involved with the work of UW NEXT. I have also enjoyed participating in several UW NEXT Gatherings in such locations as Santa Ana, California, Seattle, Washington, DC, and Louisville, Kentucky. These UW NEXT Gatherings were not only fun but also provided another opportunity for making connections. Thanks, UW NEXT! |
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United Way NEXT is Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging- read more HERE!
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