Connecting Women,
Strengthening Community
At United Way of Dane County, bringing people together to create meaningful change is at the core of everything we do. Through Women United at Work, that vision comes to life. Now in our second year piloting this program, we gather our coalition of corporate women’s groups to support their goals in engaging and developing women in the workplace. Across Dane County, women are leading these employee resource groups, showing up voluntarily to create space for women to grow, connect and be seen at work. Through our quarterly Summits, they lean on each other and walk away with more than they came with, resulting in greater impact for the women they’re serving. Because when we support the women already showing up to lift others, we multiply everything. One good idea, shared across 10 women’s groups, reaches hundreds of women in workplaces across Dane County. This work is guided by Everett Mulroe and Laura Blood Velotta who volunteer with the Women United Council.
Everett joined Women United Council in 2023 with a desire to be part of something bigger. “I love the work United Way does in our community and wanted to be a part of it,” she shares. “I was particularly excited to be a part of a group of women who work to support and uplift other women.”
Laura’s involvement began more than 14 years ago through her workplace campaign when she was new to Madison. “It was an easy way to get involved and make a difference,” she says. What started as a simple way to give back has evolved into a lasting commitment to leadership, service and community engagement.
Together, they bring complementary perspectives that reflect the mission of Women United. Everett is especially passionate about financial wellness and economic empowerment for women. She believes access to knowledge and resources creates lasting change. “When women have the resources, knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions, they are better positioned to pursue their goals, support their families and build the futures they envision,” she says.
Laura shares a deep commitment to supporting children and families, emphasizing the importance of strong systems that nurture the next generation. “It is imperative that we continue to nurture the next generation,” she explains, pointing to the importance of childcare, education and safe, supportive environments for children.
For both, volunteering and philanthropy are rooted in action and authenticity. Everett defines philanthropic leadership as showing up and contributing what you can: your time, talents, resources or voice. Laura echoes that sentiment with a guiding principle she keeps in her home office: live and give, a reminder to lead by example and inspire others to give in meaningful ways.
Together, Everett and Laura demonstrate that leadership is most powerful when it is shared. So far, we have partnered with 13 corporate women’s groups and are still recruiting! If your workplace has an active (or less than active) women’s group or Employee Resource Group, we’d love to invite them to join this amazing coalition of leaders.
To join our coalition, reach out to womenunited@uwdc.org.