United Way Staff
Tiffany DeRocco, Executive Director
Tiffany was born in Kankakee County and grew up on her family farm in St. Anne, Illinois. Tiffany graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2011 with a degree in Corporate Communications and a minor in Business. Tiffany previously worked at Presence Health Life Connections, and she interned at the Riverside Healthcare Foundation. She currently serves as a Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and is a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Kankakee.
Tiffany loves working for United Way because it is an organization that is the voice for the voiceless. United Way advocates on the behalf of those in our community who have no other family, friends, or loved ones to turn to in their time of need. United Way brings individuals, organizations, and government together to advance the common good. To Tiffany, being a part of the change is one of the greatest blessings in world. United Way is not simply a place to work, it is her passion, hope, and dream for a better future for everyone in the community.
Tiffany’s favorite quote: “What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when you bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen.” –Henry David Thoreau
Emily Poff, Development Manager
Emily Poff grew up in New Castle, Indiana but came to Bourbonnais in 2011 to attend Olivet Nazarene University, where she earned degrees in Political Science and Nonprofit Management. While at Olivet, Emily interned with Riverside Healthcare Foundation, United Way, and participated in an off-campus program in Washington, DC where she interned with the Center for Public Justice. Since 2015, Emily has served as the Development Manager at United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties where she fills a variety of roles, all with the purpose of raising funds to support local human service programs. This year, she became the chair of Women United, United Way’s new event that engages women on topics of career, life, and leadership through short talks given by key female leaders in Kankakee County. Emily loves working for United Way because it provides a great opportunity to engage in cross sector collaborations in order to make a real impact throughout the community.
In addition to her work at United Way, Emily sits on the Partnership for a Healthy Community: Violence Prevention and Safety committee, as well as the advisory board for Aunt Martha’s Healthy Families program for new teen parents. She also serves as a resident director for women at Olivet Nazarene University. Emily and Michael attend College Church of the Nazarene and are active volunteers within the youth group. They love Kankakee County and are happy to call it home.
Emily’s favorite quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead
