April 2023 e-Newsletter
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Tag: AbbVie
December 2022 e-Newsletter
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May 2022 e-Newsletter
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School Year in Review: Career Speakers
Many students in our community often times do not have the resources available to gain exposure from professional role models essential for developing career interests. Through our Stay in School program, we aim to help bridge that gap by coordinating Career Speakers to visit with small groups of Waukegan students. Career Speakers are successful local professionals who demonstrate the value of staying in school and illustrate the direct connection between academics and future success.
We focus our Career Speaker efforts on two specific student groups at Abbott Middle School in Waukegan; Young Ladies of Distinction and Young Men of Vision. These two organizations share the goal of closing the achievement gap by working to increase the amount of students who graduate and progress to their next level of education. This past school year, several volunteer speakers came to visit with these two student groups. Read on to learn more about each Career Speaker.
Young Ladies of Distinction
Carlotta Roman
Training Manager VCI Academy at VW Credit
Carlotta Roman went above and beyond as a Career Speaker. During her visit, she connected with the young ladies (pictured above) and helped them find what inspires them.
Karin Lowery
Chairperson and Second Vice-President & Actuary of Trustmark Companies
Karin Lowery shared her experience working at Trustmark Companies.
Dr. Sherry Pray
Chiropractor at Lake Forest Family Chiro PC
Dr. Sherry Pray shared her experience as a chiropractor. A life size model of the human spine was used so that Dr. Pray could demonstrate her profession in front of the girls.
Cinthya Barrera
Engineering Plant Manager at Procter & Gamble
Cinthya Barrera discussed her experience working at Procter & Gamble as well as her career journey.
Kimberly Taylor Smith
Director of Employee and Community Engagement at AbbVie
Kimberly Taylor Smith spoke about her move to Georgia, and then to New York, all by herself.
Susie Lees
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Allstate
Susie Lees told her personal story of success in front of the group. The message she wanted the girls to take away from her story was on the importance of working hard, being respectful and not letting fear hold them back.
Kenji Kuykendall
Senior Manager, Site Communications & Engagement at Pfizer, Inc.
Kenji Kuykendall spent part of her day with the girls to share her experience working as a senior manager at Pfizer, Inc.
Adilene Dominguez
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Adilene Dominguez shared her personal success story with the Young Ladies of Distinction and encouraged the girls to stay motivated and work hard.
Young Men of Vision
LeBaron Moten
Deputy of Facilities and Support Services for the Waukegan School District
LeBaron Moten spoke to the students about the importance of active listening and how they can respond to information when they take time to process it.
Sum Cunningham
Mayor of Waukegan
Mayor Cunningham met with the student members to talk about leadership. While he was there, he also shared details of the history of Waukegan, the qualities of great leaders and he reminded the students to stay committed to their goals.
Mike Zafirovski
Former President and CEO of Nortel, and former President and COO of Motorola
Mike shared his experience to the group about his big move from Macedonia to the United States and how he experienced adapting to a new environment. He also talked about his involvement with sports and how that shaped him as a leader.
Scott Jones
President & CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center.
Scott Jones spoke to the student members about hard work, goal-setting and the importance of having a positive attitude.
Bob Mayo
President & CEO of Mayo Consulting Group, and Vice Chairman Emeritus of Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Bob Mayo shared the story of his career journey with the students.
Demar Harris
Director of Programs and EEO Officer at Lake County Workforce Development
Demar Harris shared his personal success story to the group. He highlighted the importance to the development of a contingency plan in the working environment. Demar’s new mentee from the group is a young man named Jordan and he is an aspiring entrepreneur.
Super Volunteers 2018
During National Volunteer Week (April 15-21), United Way of Lake County recognized four #SUPERvolunteers that have selflessly dedicated their time to furthering our mission of creating lasting change in Lake County. Keep reading to meet each of our SUPER Volunteers and learn about their connection with United Way.
OUTSTANDING LONG-TERM VOLUNTEER: MARK ANDERSON
Photo: (Right to left) Mark Anderson, Mark’s current Reading Success student, and Ms. Chang.
Mark Anderson, Ph.D scientist in Oncology at Abbvie, has been volunteering with United Way of Lake County as a Reading Success tutor since 2011. For the last seven years, Mark has been tutoring at North Elementary in Waukegan and the majority of those years have been in Ms. Chang’s classroom.
Mark understands the need in Lake County and, through the Abbott/AbbVie volunteer portal, found the United Way Reading Success opportunity. The impact he makes and the progress he sees with the students he tutors brings him back each year. Mark identifies with United Way of Lake County’s mission that our community becomes stronger when everyone works together.
Watch Mark accept his Outstanding Long-Term Volunteer award:
“I think [reading] is something that can have a strong impact early on in children’s education.”
– Mark Anderson, on why he likes to volunteer around the issue of reading.
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER: STEVE CARLSON
Steve Carlson is District 7 Commissioner for the Lake County Board. He has volunteered with United Way of Lake County since 2012 as a Board Member for the Lake County Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) where he has helped to review local needs and allocate funding to high capacity agencies proven to align with local efforts to prevent and decrease homelessness and hunger. Steve’s deep commitment to our community is showcased in his many volunteer roles throughout the county, including involvement with the Lake County Health and Community Services Committee, Lake County Forest Preserve, Lake County Board of Health, Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee, and many more.
Watch Steve accept his Outstanding Community Volunteer award:
In 2015, Steve became involved with United Way’s efforts to implement a 2-1-1 system in Lake County after learning about the initiative through his work with EFSP. He has been a determined advocate for 2-1-1 fighting for its implementation and helping to move the initiative forward. Steve has helped United Way to build widespread community support for a 2-1-1 system and has been responsible for bringing numerous community leaders to the table with both organizational and financial support. On behalf of the community, we thank Steve for his time and efforts to help implement 2-1-1!
Watch Steve discuss 2-1-1 with UWLC’s President and CEO, Kristi Long:
OUTSTANDING FUNDRAISING VOLUNTEER GROUP: WOMEN UNITED
Photo: Women United members volunteering at their newest H.U.G.S. partner, Baby Talk in Waukegan.
Women United of Lake County (WU) is comprised of nearly 100 women who dedicate their time, talent and resources to ensure Lake County’s most vulnerable children are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. WU members are committed to growing their self-directed philanthropy fund, Little Kids, Big Futures, through special events including Power of the Purse, and growing their tribe of members. At least half of their membership donation of $1,000 or more goes back to the Little Kids, Big Futures Fund; so the more members, the more impact they are able to make.
Over the past 4 years, their fundraising efforts have been impressive. They have grown the Fund from $26,000 in 2014 to $132,000 in 2018, which is an average increase of 50% year over year and totals $369,000. As a result, between 2014 – 2017, they have funded 32,380 hours of preschool education for 376 low-income children in Lake County.
They look forward to adding to that impact after they make their grants decisions in early May. This powerful network of women is a true gift to United Way of Lake County and the children and families who benefit from their efforts.
Watch Patrice Maloney-Knauff, WU Chair, accept the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Group award on Women United’s behalf:
OUTSTANDING CORPORATE PARTNER: SNAP-ON CREDIT
Photo: Last June, Snap-On Credit employees spent their day repainting an early learning trail at Carman-Buckner Elementary School in Waukegan.
Snap-On employees have embraced our mission by generously donating both their time and money. They have supported our special events, acting as a sponsor for our Premier Leadership fundraising event since 2015. Snap-On also participates in volunteer engagement opportunities throughout the year. Thank you for being a wonderful partner and a leader in the community!
Watch Joe Burger, President of Snap-On Credit, accept the Outstanding Corporate Partner award on the company’s behalf:
October 2017 e-Newsletter
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United Way Hosts Executive Forum Event on Business InnovationOn October 18th, we hosted an Executive Forum at Independence Grove in Libertyville. Over 120 business executives and community members gathered to hear from a panel of industry leaders sharing insights on using technology as a driver for business innovation. Our panelists included: Jeff McRae, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Strategic Ventures, Allstate Alex Wuerfel, Vice President of Global Marketing and Commercial Operations, AbbVie Glenda Abbott, Director of Quality Assurance, Diagnostics Division, Abbott 
Our panelists and speakers expanded and inspired thinking about the technology and innovation evolving now and the development of our youth critical for tomorrow. To read more about our Innovation Event, click the button below.
for Leading the Discussion  
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