Carissa Hill had not planned to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector a decade ago, when she first joined the United Way of Rhode Island as a temporary fundraiser. But she has stayed because of the fulfillment she finds in working for an organization devoted to improving the lives of others.
During her early years at United Way, Hill raised upwards of $3 million from companies such as FM Global, Fleet Bank and A.T. Cross. Today Hill is vice president and managing director of United Way’s annual campaign, and as such has oversight of the annual campaign’s staff, which raises roughly $17 million annually. She prides herself on empowering the staff to make informed decisions on their own.
Along with her day-to-day duties, Hill also has taken part in teams and projects at United Way, including a cross-departmental group that continues to work on enhancing the organization’s internal culture. Their efforts have been rewarded – this year United Way was named one of the Best Places To Work by Providence Business News and The Best Companies Group. Hill also has taken part in an organizational planning team that has created a three-year strategic plan for United Way.
As part of her professional development, Hill is now pursuing a master’s degree in business administration at URI, while continuing to take part in training offered by the United Way.
Outside the office, Hill has given her time to a number of community groups. She has volunteered for the Providence Latin American Film Festival for a number of years, and also serves as a trustee for the Perishable Theatre. •
