Leadership
“I put down my first roots in Kankakee County during my senior year at Olivet Nazarene University. My professor encouraged me to enter a Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce competition called EnterpriseU, which gave me the chance to attend classes with local entrepreneurs. As I got to know people who were developing their own businesses, I was impressed by how passionate they were about living and working in Kankakee County.”
“When I had the chance to take a job here, I was excited to make Kankakee my home, too. I love that I can sit in a coffee shop for an hour and, without fail, run into at least one person I know. Many of the people from this area who helped me get started in my first year postgrad are still key people in my life and work today.”
“I now serve as the executive director of United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. This is my dream job, and I can’t picture doing this work anywhere else. As the proverb says, ‘A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.’ I truly believe we are building something great here, and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Mariah (Garratt) Vail ’17/’19 MBA
B.S., Business Administration and Marketing, and MBA
Executive Director, United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties
Internships
For decades, Olivet Nazarene University student internships with Kankakee County businesses and organizations have strengthened many connections. Students from a variety of majors — including communication, social work, nursing, education, ministry and engineering — have been welcomed by professional teams to learn more about their future careers. In the process, students grow, and professionals regain some of their enthusiasm for their work.
Erin Fagan ’25 holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and strategic communication from Olivet. While a student, she did an internship with United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties in the summer of 2024. She continues to appreciate the many professional connections she made during that time.
“I learned how to engage with the community and also with people personally during my internship with United Way,” Erin says. “My confidence in myself and in my personal actions with people grew tremendously. The United Way staff — including Mariah Vail, Tammy Marcotte and Melina Pizano — and their purposeful and passionate approach to serving people helped me grow as a professional. I learned a lot from them about how to connect with real people and real situations in our community.”
She adds, “Because of my internship at United Way, I know so much more about how to serve my community well. The skills I learned there will serve me well in my future career.”
Olivet is extending an invitation to alumni, family and friends to partner with the University in creating a “redeeming abundance” for a new generation of transformational leaders. Learn more about Olivet’s Strength and Hope Campaign and find opportunities to give at olivet.edu/giving
Read the entire “Doing Something Good Together” issue here.
