Ayeshah Raftery
Major Gifts and Planned Giving Manager
As Major Gifts and Planned Giving Manager, my role is to create and maintain strong relationships with community members. In over 24 years of being a fundraiser in Vermont, I have always believed in being transparent, listening to constituents and conveying the impact of community support.
As Director of Development and Public Education for the Vermont Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, I was fortunate to travel throughout our beautiful state. I learned so much about Vermont history – not from books – but from the people that live here. In each of my previous employments, at UVM Home Health & Hospice (formerly the VNA of Chittenden & Grand Isle Counties), Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, and Pine Ridge School, I was privileged to meet hardworking, compassionate, and generous people. I’m proud to live and work in a community that cares about and makes a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
My desire to continue making Vermont a better place to live for all has led me to United Way of Northwest Vermont. I have had a relationship for many years with United Way through my previous positions at funded partners and have always admired United Way’s collaboration and forward-thinking approach, so this was a natural transition.
My favorite season is summer, and I spend most of it outdoors. I enjoy gardening, biking, kayaking, swimming, and playing golf. In the winter I ski and do most of my traveling heading to warmer places.