Carrie Clemens

Your title: Vice President, Resource Development 

Tell us a bit about your background: I spent nearly 10 years after college working in the heavy-duty trucking industry in a variety of roles, ranging from administrative to customer service to a pricing analyst, and finally leading the aftermarket customer service team. I made the switch from for profit to non-profit in 2009 and was able to relay my experience in customer service and project management into the fundraising world.  

When did you join the team at United Way of Greater Stark County? January 2009 

Briefly explain your role at United Way: I am part of the team that coordinates the annual campaign and fundraising activities for the organization. We are responsible for all aspects of donor relations and connecting people and organizations with ways to invest back into our community that align with their passions.  

Have you held any previous positions at United Way? If so, what positions? A variety of roles within the Resource Development department:  

- Director, Corporate & Workplace Giving  

- Assistant Director, Resource Development 

- Director, Resource Development

- Associate Vice President, Resource Development 

What do you enjoy most about your work at United Way? Being able to work with and get to know so many different people, from different walks of life. We get to know the donors who are passionate about investing dollars to drive change; volunteers who dedicate their time to provide leadership, make meals, help children; other non-profits who work so hard every single day to support children and families in our community; and the recipients of all that work – the parents and grandparents and families, and most importantly, the kids who are full of hope and dreams, and who will, one day, be in our place driving change.    

What community partners or volunteer programs are you most passionate about supporting? Please explain. Give 5 – We always receive the most wonderful feedback for this program, which connects retirees with volunteering opportunities in the community. The commonality that we hear is how eye-opening the program is in providing an education around poverty in the community AND the amazing work being done every day to alleviate the effects of poverty. Even individuals who have been past volunteers or involved in some way walk away with a new perspective!  

There are so many others – I love the collaboration, wraparound services that are provided through so many different programs and initiatives. Being able to bring partners together, to do what they do well, and achieve even better, and bigger results for the community is what it’s all about!  

To that note, I love the Stone Soup volunteer project. It’s based on the fable of the same name and all about coming together as a group to do more, and provide more, than any one single person can do by themselves. Everyone brings one ingredient, like cheese, noodles or sauce, for a bigger recipe. At the event, everyone comes together to use their ingredients to make something bigger, like lasagna. You’re able to visually and hands on truly see what United Way is all about – bringing people together to accomplish something greater than any of us alone.

What do you like to do outside of work? Anything with my 6-year-old son – hiking, adventure days, jigsaw puzzles; cooking a meal for friends and families; road trips.

If you could share any piece of advice with the children of Stark County, what would it be?  Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.  

Just a reminder that we all have the ups and downs and highs and lows of life. It’s normal to have those and feel the feelings that come with them, but every day that we are here is a blessing and even on those difficult days, you can still find something good – a “glimmer” that brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart. We need to focus on those glimmers, no matter how small they may be, versus the negative things.