As United Way’s annual campaign season gains momentum, the success of our work depends on dedicated leaders who inspire others to get involved, give back and strengthen our community. One of those leaders is Raj Ravi, a member of Lead United, a Women United Ambassador and Employee Campaign Manager (ECM) at Hooper Corporation.

For nearly three years, Raj has helped lead Hooper’s United Way campaign, bringing energy, creativity and a passion for community impact to her role. Through employee education, relationship-building and collaboration with current donors and volunteers, she helps connect colleagues to the many ways they can support United Way’s mission.

At Hooper, Raj has helped cultivate a culture of service that is both meaningful and engaging. Working alongside a dedicated team of volunteers and HR staff, she supports special events tailored to employee interests. These activities not only generate excitement during campaign season but also create opportunities for employees to learn about the impact their generosity has across our community.

Raj’s passion for United Way’s work is rooted in its focus on financial security. She believes financial stability is often at the core of the challenges families face and has gained a deeper understanding of those realities through her involvement with United Way. While she feels fortunate that her own family has not experienced many of those hardships, she recognizes the importance of helping build a community where everyone has the opportunity to achieve financial security and a brighter future.

Raj has taken her involvement to the next level by becoming a Women United Ambassador. Women United Ambassadors serve as champions for Women United, helping to grow membership, connect women to meaningful volunteer and networking opportunities and share the collective impact women are making through philanthropy and service. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Raj recently joined Women United Membership & Engagement committee, further strengthening her commitment to engaging others in United Way’s work.

Volunteering has had a meaningful impact on Raj’s life. Through her experiences, she has developed an even greater appreciation for the people who dedicate their time to helping others. One of her favorite aspects of volunteering is connecting with fellow volunteers and learning about their unique experiences that inspire them to give back. Her involvement with United Way has also made service and philanthropy a regular topic of conversation at home, where she hopes to teach and model a strong sense of empathy, gratitude and community involvement with her children.

Raj’s leadership reflects the power of engagement beyond the workplace campaign. By investing in both philanthropy and service, she is helping build a stronger network of advocates who are committed to creating lasting change.

“To me, philanthropic leadership is about using your voice, relationships and influence to make a difference and encourage others to get involved,” Raj says. “One of my favorite parts of my job is leading the United Way campaign at Hooper. We start planning months in advance, and it is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together around a common cause. Whether it’s through your time, resources, relationships or voice, everyone has a role to play. When we each do our part, we can make a lasting difference in our community.”

As we continue through campaign season, we are especially grateful for leaders like Raj who make others feel personally invited to engage in community Raj’s commitment reminds us that when people step forward to lead, they inspire others to do the same.