In what ways have you been involved with United Way?
I've been a member of United Way's Executive Board and Board of Directors. I have volunteered on Allocations Committee in 2019 and 2020. I am also an active member of the Success By Six executive board and committee and Chair of the Development Committee.
What inspired you to become involved with United Way?
I wanted to participate with an organization that plays an integral part in the health and wellness of our community through funding, program development and volunteer opportunities.
What aspect of United Way's work do you connect with most?
I connect most with the program development aspect of United Way; looking at data from our community and deciding where we need to focus most based on need and what we can do as an organization to assist.
Why do you think it's important to support United Way's mission?
United Way is a multisector organization that serves our community in many ways and is vital to bringing us all together working towards one mission. United Way needs to be the beacon that leads Kankakee and Iroquois Counties moving forward, bringing sectors and organizations together.
Who is Kathy Peterson?
Kathy Peterson comes from a long career in advertising and sales with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Marketing and Management. As Director of Marketing for a travel company in Downers Grove, she oversaw the art direction of yearly brochures and outside sales material, as well as, website development and annual tracking reports. While staying home to raise her young children for nine years, she was able to manage her own freelance business where she worked with local small businesses in the creation of website marketing tools, brochures and ad campaigns. In her role with Presence Health, she was able to gain knowledge of the Kankakee region through her proven ability to identify community needs and manage relationships with referral sources; all while maintaining above average goals.
With a background in healthcare, community development, sales and marketing; Kathy has provided support in the Kankakee community for over 7 years at AMITA Health St. Mary's Hospital with a focus on strategic business and community development. Kathy sits on many community boards including United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, Workforce Board, Partnership for a Healthy Community (MAPP), Kankakee Chamber of Commerce and the Kankakee Riverfront Implementation Committee.