United Way Staff
Kerstin Rust, Executive Director
With nearly a decade of experience in community development, Kerstin leads United Way's strategy for community impact and mobilizes local partners and networks to improves lives within Kankakee & Iroquois Counties. She believes that engaged and philanthropic citizens are ultimately what help communities flourish. Kerstin enjoys working for United Way because it fosters strong community connections, bring people together to advance the greater good.
Prior to joining United Way, Kerstin collaborated with global community leaders on implementing global health and sustainability programs with Lions Clubs International. She holds a master's degree in Public Service from DePaul University and bachelor's degrees in International Studies and Political Science from Butler University. A native of northwest Indiana, Kerstin relocated to Bourbonnais with her husband in 2013.
Angela Buzas, Database Coordinator
Angela is the database coordinator for United Way. Angela has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Wright State University and boasts nearly 20 years of experience in the field. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, her family moved to Kankakee County when her husband's engineering career brought them to CSL Behring.
From the NW Suburbs of Chicago, Christina was first introduced to Kankakee County through Olivet Nazarene University. She received a B.S. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication in May 2019. Through her education, she was able to partner, volunteer, and work for different community organizations. Now as Development Manager for United Way, she is excited to lend her skills, abilities, and passions to the surrounding community. She is most excited to see the ways that her work will produce tangible results for the people living in both Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.