Elizabeth “Liz” Ingrao has spent more than four years shaping lives in the University of Miami’s vibrant living and learning community. She has been in her role as the associate director of staff recruitment and training for the Department of Housing and Residential Life for nearly two years.
Ingrao fundraised for the housing profession efforts across the globe during her two-year term, which she recently completed, as the vice-chair for Individual Giving and Outreach for the Association of College and University Housing Officers foundation board of trustees.
In addition to her impactful work at the University, she proudly has served as an active United Way Ambassador for the past two years. Her participation in the organization’s campaign is driven by her love of giving back to the community.
Having witnessed the great work and impact of the organization, Ingrao said that her reason for becoming a United Way Ambassador is driven by a deep passion for philanthropic work.
“I love giving back to my community whenever I can,” she said. “I have seen the great work the United Way has done over the years and am happy to help them to be able to continue that work.”
She also pointed out that mass messaging can sometimes lose its impact. That’s why her fundraising strategy is focused on forging personal connections.
“Word of mouth and direct connections are the best ways to ‘make the ask.’ I find that mass messaging can get lost in translation,” she said out. “One-on-one contact in a variety of methods works best.”
The United Way ambassador said that she really believes that every individual is capable of providing a positive change in their community. So, her words of encouragement to someone considering donating or getting involved with United Way are simple: “Even $1 can make a difference.”
