Sellers-Mary.jpg

mary sellers

Class of 2001
Former U.S. president of United Way Worldwide

What advice would you give to young people who want to make an impact?

Be true to yourself. Make sure what, and how, you want to make impact is aligned with your values and passion. If those are in place, making meaningful impact will naturally happen. Also, invite others to join in. Most meaningful impact happens when you work with others to make impact bigger than self.

What’s one of your accomplishments you are most proud of, and why?

I don’t know that it is necessarily my accomplishment, but the thing that I am most proud of in my career is the number of my direct reports that have gone on to lead their own organization – to date, the number stands at 19.

Knowing what you know now, what’s one thing you’d tell your younger self as you start your career?

Don’t try to figure everything out right away. If you are too rigid in how you think you should traverse your career, you will miss out on opportunities and the joy of the journey itself. Anchor yourself in the moments and experiences, both good and not so good – they are the moments that shape you, and your character and values.

 

Class of 2001

Julie Andrews

Jill Avery

Rick Ball

Ken Bonus

Scott Brennan

Nathan Brooks

Jeff Courter

Jeanne Deering

Brian Donaghy

Darin Ferguson

Roger Fouche

Ted Frandson

Graham Gillette

Steve Gooding

John Greaves

Chris Greenfield

Tom Halterman

Jay Horn

Aaron Kennedy

Dan Keough

Jose Laracuente

Vicki Lyon

Theresa Malone

Sheri McMichael

Jim Nahas

Kevin Nordmeyer

Jeff Payne

Kim Poam

William Polston

J. Scott Raecker

Kari Schulte

Mary Sellers

David Stark

Carole Tillotson

Donna Tweeten

John Viggers

Kevin Waetke

Therese Wielage

Annabel Wimer

Brad Zaun