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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI had opportunities to continue in the same field but would have had to relocate to places like New York or Los Angeles,\u201d Hills explained. \u201cWhen I learned about a position with United Way, I felt it was where I needed to be, doing the work I was meant to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She started as the director of community impact, working with volunteers and funding partners to allocate resources effectively each year. She also immersed herself in the community, identifying its unique needs and forming partnerships with local organizations. Hills quickly advanced, becoming executive vice president and now president and CEO for the last nine years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a small nonprofit, there\u2019s a lot of role overlap,\u201d Hills said. \u201cEach position [is] built on the skills and experience from the last. My business acumen from Fruit of the Loom has been invaluable in leading the organization and making strategic decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hills\u2019 determination has helped United Way of Southern Kentucky navigate numerous challenges. \u201cOur biggest challenge is that there are always more needs than resources,\u201d she shared. \u201cWhile we have a generous community, we must be strategic in investing the resources we have to create the maximum impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early childhood education is a big part of United Way\u2019s strategy under Hills\u2019 leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re committed to creating long-term change, focusing on education and kindergarten readiness,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen children enter school ready to succeed, it impacts their entire lives and decreases their need for social services as adults.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the challenges, Hills finds inspiration in the community\u2019s resilience. \u201cThe generosity here is remarkable,\u201d she said. \u201cDuring the pandemic and the 2021 tornado, people immediately stepped up to support one another, with donations and volunteers pouring in. Following the tornado, over $3 million was contributed to United Way to help victims, demonstrating the power of community in difficult times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hills emphasizes that everyone can be part of United Way\u2019s impact on Southern Kentucky. \u201cThere are volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and we always welcome contributions,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re also glad to educate people about our work so they can find where they best fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hills and her team are driven by a shared vision: \u201cWe want every member of the community to be educated, healthy, and financially stable. While we\u2019re far from achieving that goal, we\u2019re seeing a movement that\u2019s setting up children and youth for success. As they grow, their lives will follow a different, more positive path,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThough the pandemic and tornado set us back, they\u2019ve only strengthened our resolve. We\u2019re digging in, working harder, and being smarter as we move forward.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DEBBIE HILLS has dedicated the last 25 years to making Southern Kentucky a better place for everyone. Through her leadership as president and CEO of United Way of Southern Kentucky, she continues a legacy that began over 135 years ago with United Way\u2019s mission to build stronger, more resilient communities. Founded in 1887 as the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":23368,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/bowling-green\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/11\/1-4-1024x683.png\")
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