Who:
Mallory Hill
Community Mortgage loan officer, Northeast Arkansas
What:
Based in Jonesboro, United Way of Northeast Arkansas works with nearly 20 agency partners across nine counties to address the community’s greatest needs. That work occurs thanks in part to business, nonprofit and civic professionals involved with United Way’s Loaned Executive Program.
Loaned executives support United Way affiliates with fundraising, recruiting and engaging volunteers and event planning. Through the experience, they develop skills like project management and public speaking and gain networking and relationship-building opportunities. Hill is one of 15 United Way of Northeast Arkansas loaned executives currently sharing their time and talent.
Why It Matters:
“United Way’s Loaned Executive Program provides local leaders with an opportunity to represent their company as a champion of change within our community,” said Erin Calhoon, Development director with United Way of Northeast Arkansas. “Loaned executives have an immense impact on the work we are able to accomplish by creating awareness of needs within our community and awareness for the local agencies working to meet them. They’re also working to meet those needs through their fundraising efforts.
Mallory has been a wonderful asset to our efforts this year by providing connections to help grow our portfolio. She’s bubbly, passionate and caring, bringing her charisma to meetings and events.
Erin Calhoon, Development director with United Way of Northeast Arkansas
“Mallory has been a wonderful asset to our efforts this year by providing connections to help grow our portfolio. She’s bubbly, passionate and caring, bringing her charisma to meetings and events.”
In Her Own Words:
How it began:
“In 2010, our branch team had a conversation about Regions’ active support of United Way,” said Hill, who previously held teller and Financial Services specialist roles with Regions’ Consumer Banking team in Jonesboro before transitioning to Mortgage. “We annually helped with United Way Day of Caring projects. I then decided I was going to do payroll deduction to achieve my Fair Share Day giving level.”
How it’s grown:
“Our Jonesboro team continues to volunteer for the United Way Day of Caring each year,” said Hill. “Two years ago, United Way of Northeast Arkansas invited me to apply for the Loaned Executive Program because of my longtime involvement and since I’m always promoting Regions throughout the community. It was a competitive process. I was honored to be selected for this year’s program.
“In August, Regions sponsored United Way’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign, with my teammates and I staffing the Paragould collection site. It’s an important project with school supplies being so expensive.”
What her loaned executive experience has taught her about United Way
“United Way touches a lot of different areas,” said Hill. “Every time I’m at a loaned executive meeting, I think, ‘We do that too?’
“United Way agencies do everything from provide luggage for children aging out of foster care to prescription discounts for seniors to free books for children under five. My son has received books since he was one. Harper gets excited to go to the mailbox for his books each month. He’s reading amazing, child-friendly stories in English and Spanish thanks to this program.”
What it’s taught her about herself:
“I’ve learned my capacity to give is not limited to my pockets,” said Hill. “My capacity to give is also measured in the thoughts I carry about the organization, the people I can help serve and the actions I take on a daily basis.”
Why she encourages others to give:
“The United Way supports your local area. You can always, always, always see the benefit of the things they’re doing,” said Hill. “Without our support, those organizations would not be able to meet their budgets. Giving up a coffee here or there and donating it to United Way can make a big difference; just $3 or $4 per pay period can help United Way reach more people, more families. And if you can’t offer financial support, you can offer support in other ways like giving your time. It always feels good to do good.”
Read about more Regions associates supporting United Way in their communities: