Jan 8, 2024
This week Ivy Slater, host
of Her Success Story, chats with her guests, Michele Drieblatt &
Kiran Handa Gaudioso. The two return to the nonprofit
series, and talk about United Way of Northern New Jersey, Gifts for
the Season, and the many benefits brought locally by this
organization.
In this episode, we discuss:
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How Michele & Kiran got involved with United Way, and what their United Way does for their community
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What differs in the way United Way New Jersey does things
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What the ALICE program does, and how it helps families
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How they create systemic change for women in business
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What their long-term recovery work looks like for families in crisis
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How to help with Gifts for the Season, or become a volunteer
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What long-lasting connections do to bring people who continue to show up
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What they love about the work they do, and how they were brought into the nonprofit sector
Kiran Handa Gaudioso was named Chief
Executive Officer of United Way of Northern New Jersey and
president of United For ALICE effective March
2020. She had served as Chief Operating Officer since
2017, following four years as the organization’s Senior
Vice President of Community Impact and Community Relations. She has
overseen strategic planning for how the organization fulfills its
mission of improving life for ALICE and those in poverty at the
local, state, and national level including, United for ALICE. This
research-based initiative with United Ways in 28 states provides a
comprehensive study of households that earn above the poverty
level, but less than a basic cost of living.
Gaudioso oversees an annual budget of $9.2M and a staff team of 50.
During the pandemic, she led the establishment of the ALICE
Recovery Fund and the creation of an innovative childcare pilot,
United in Care. She was asked by Governor Murphy to co-chair the
Third Sector Advisory Council to work with public sector leaders
across the state to develop relief, recovery, and re-imagination
strategies to support ALICE.
Prior to joining United Way, Kiran served as interim CEO and vice
president of Program Operations at New Jersey After 3, the
public-private partnership that worked to provide safe, quality
after-school and expanded learning time programs for 15,000 public
school students in New Jersey. During her nine years with New
Jersey After 3, Kiran created and managed a professional
development system for 6,000 after-school program directors, site
managers, and staff. She also oversaw the organization’s annual
grant application process involving more than100 after-school
programs.
Kiran developed programmatic and operational management expertise
while serving as director of Mentoring, Volunteerism & Enrichment
Programs at Sponsor For Educational Opportunity. There, she led the
development of a mentoring program designed to help New York City
teens reach their academic, personal, and career potential. Early
in her career, as a policy adviser under former Governor James
Florio in the New Jersey Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, Kiran
was instrumental in establishing AmeriCorps in New Jersey. Kiran
received her B.A. in political science and policy studies from the
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse
University. She received a fellowship to attend The Eagleton
Institute of Public Politics at Rutgers University, earning her
M.A. in political science.
Michele Dreiblatt is the Senior Director, Women’s
Philanthropy & Donor Engagement at United Way of Northern New
Jersey. She is responsible for engaging new and long-time
donors and through Women United of Northern New Jersey. Through
fundraising, advocacy, networking and volunteering, Michele brings
a powerhouse group of women from diverse backgrounds together to
serve as champions of change for ALICE workers and improve the
lives of thousands of individuals who live paycheck to paycheck and
are essential to the fabric of our society.
Since 2015, Michele has collaborated with hundreds of women to
raise over $1.4million dollars to build a community where everyone
can afford to save for an emergency, access health care, and give
their children a high-quality early education.
Michele also serves as the staff lead on the Women United Global
Leadership Council, which serves over 55,000 members globally.
Prior to joining United Way, Michele served as the Director of
the New Jersey Jewish Film Festival for the JCC MetroWest, and as
Cultural Arts Director for the JCC of Central New Jersey. During
her combined six years in these roles, Michele elevated audience
experiences with premiere films, speakers, music, cooking programs,
and art exhibits while increasing attendance and exceeding
fundraising goals.
Early in her career, Michele held corporate positions as senior
health and communications manager at Kraft General Foods, and as a
public relations executive at top firms, including Daniel J.
Edelman, representing Fortune 500 companies, providing creative
direction for integrated marketing and communications
programs,managing client relations, and working with chefs,
restaurateurs, and food industry professionals to secure brand
visibility for her clients.
Michele graduated Syracuse University with a dual degree from the
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the College for
Human Development, has earned several recognition awards in her
career, and pursues professional and personal development program
on an ongoing basis. She describes herself as high energy,
self-motivated, passionate about philanthropy, and deeply grateful
for her family, friends, United Way of Northern New Jersey family
and Women United ‘sisters.’
Website: https://www.unitedwaynnj.org/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedwaynnj/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayNNJ
X: https://twitter.com/UnitedWayNNJ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwaynnj/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedWayNNJ