United Way NEXT MeNTORSHIP Program

Whether you're a current United Way professional, recently retired, or exploring something new, we’d love to have you! As the official United Way alumni network, United Way NEXT is here to help you stay connected, grow your impact, and build lasting relationships with others who understand your journey 💙

Ready to join us? Choose the mentorship that's right for you!

CEO & Staff | Endowment & Planned Giving | Career Transition | Meet Your Mentors

CEO & Staff mentorship

Leading or growing your career within a local United Way can be both exciting and challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. United Way NEXT offers personalized mentorship opportunities for United Way professionals who want guidance, support, and encouragement from those who have walked a similar path. Whether you are a new CEO, an emerging leader, or someone navigating a transition, we are here to connect you with someone who understands.

What You’ll Gain:

  • Perspective from experience: Learn from a trusted mentor who understands the United Way ecosystem and the realities of your role.

  • Support that meets your needs: Talk through challenges related to leadership, management, fundraising, governance, and more.

  • A mentorship model that fits you: You and your mentor set the pace, define your focus areas, and choose how to stay in touch.

  • Connection to a broader network: Stay grounded in the mission while building meaningful relationships beyond your organization.

If you are ready to grow with the support of someone who has been there, let us connect you with a mentor who can help guide the way.

  • I look forward to my mentorship meetings. I feel like I’m growing more professionally through this experience than through anything else I’ve done to date.

    Holly Wade, UW NEXT Member

  • Having Kyle as a mentor has been a game changer and a lifeline. I believe this is something that every new executive director needs to be successful.

    Savannah Lyon, UW NEXT Member

  • This mentorship not only expedited the establishment of a successful major gifts program but also furthered my personal and professional advancement.

    Josh Kilgas, UW NEXT Member

  • Talking with Bonita on a biweekly basis has been extremely valuable. From the very beginning, her goal was my success.

    Brian Holt, UW NEXT Member

Endowment & planned Giving mentorship

Building or expanding your planned giving or endowment strategy? We’re here to help! United Way NEXT connects local United Way staff with experienced professionals who have been in your shoes. Whether you’re launching a new initiative, looking to diversify revenue, or simply seeking advice from someone who understands the nuances of this work, our mentors are ready to support you with insight, clarity, and real-world experience.

What You’ll Gain:

  • Guidance from the field: Learn from seasoned professionals who have led successful planned giving and endowment efforts within the United Way network.

  • Support tailored to your goals: Get advice on everything from donor cultivation and stewardship to campaign planning and revenue diversification.

  • Space to grow: You and your mentor will decide the structure and pace of your conversations based on what works best for both of you.

  • A stronger foundation: Take confident steps toward a more sustainable, future-focused fundraising strategy for your local United Way.

If you are ready to invest in your long-term development and learn from those who’ve been there, we’d love to connect you with a mentor.

  • I'm fortunate to tap into Kristi’s experience. She’s helping me to be more strategic and targeted in my approach.

    Megan Reynolds, UW NEXT Member

  • This mentorship not only expedited the establishment of a successful major gifts program but also furthered my personal and professional advancement.

    Josh Kilgas, UW NEXT Member

  • United Way NEXT expertise and support is integral and invaluable as we launch our program and integrate planned giving into all of work.

    Shemagne O’Keefe Mullin

  • The incredible gift of time and expertise invested by leaders from UW NEXT has impacted our United Way in immeasurable ways

    Meagan Liesveld, UW NEXT Member

  • The expertise of the UW NEXT team of volunteers allowed us to conduct this in-depth study, that we would never have had the necessary resources to do ourselves.

    Dina Sears-Graves, UW NEXT Member

  • I loved that she gave me immediate feedback on my strategy and some additional insights I had yet to consider.

    Nina Buenavista, UW NEXT Member

Career Transition Mentorship & Support

Exploring and committing to what’s NEXT can be scary, but you shouldn’t have to do it alone. United Way NEXT connects members with experienced mentors who understand the unique opportunities and challenges that come with career transitions. Whether you’re planning for retirement, stepping into a new role, navigating job loss, or looking for something new, we’d love to introduce you to others who are truly cheering you on.

What You’ll Gain:

  • Perspective for your NEXT chapter: Learn from individuals who have successfully navigated career changes, retirement, consulting work, board service, volunteer leadership, and other transitions.

  • Support tailored to your journey: Talk through goals, opportunities, uncertainties, and decisions with someone who understands the United Way experience.

  • A mentorship experience that works for you: You and your mentor will determine the pace, focus, and format of your conversations based on your needs and interests.

  • Confidence moving forward: Gain clarity, encouragement, and practical insights as you explore what fulfillment and purpose look like in your next season.

If you’re ready to explore what’s NEXT with the support of someone who has been there, we’d be honored to connect you with a mentor.

Meet Your Mentors