Get to know…Jessie Gorges-Sawhill, Director of Philanthropy

Tell us about your role at United Way, and how it’s evolved over the past few years.

Earlier this year, I was promoted to Director of Philanthropy at United Way of the Plains. With that came the opportunity to lead two incredible Associate Directors, Caitlin Craig and Brooklyn Black. I like to call us the “Three Musketeers” because we work as a united team to help our corporate partners run effective workplace fundraising campaigns to support the mission of our organization.

You’ve spent most of your career in nonprofit, what led you to this type of work?

I’ve spent most of my professional career in the nonprofit sector. I’m drawn to this kind of work because it is relationship oriented. Nonprofit professionals are either building trust with the people they serve or building trust with their donors, and trust goes back to relationships.

I have a personal belief that relationships are the most important thing, and relationship building is essential in fundraising. When your personal values align with your profession – well, it doesn’t get much better than that!

Tell us something we might not know about you.

Most people don’t know that I was born prematurely. I wore a heart monitor for the first six months of my life, and early on, my parents weren’t sure what my future would hold. Thankfully, I grew up to be a chatty, fun-loving ball of energy —actually, a bit of a ham! My premature birth reminds me that strength often comes from a shaky start.

Tell us something you’ve learned or accomplished over the past 3 years that you’re proud to share.

Something I’m proud of is being a part of the Wichita Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 class of 2025. I was surprised by the recognition. So many of my fellow honorees are doing innovative and visible work in our community, and I’m honored to sit beside them.

If you would like, please share a little about your family.

I’m the middle of three sisters, which has made me the harmonizer of the family. I just want everyone to get along! My parents still live in the house I grew up in, Clearwater, Kan.

Another thing people may not know about me is that I have a huge extended family on my dad’s side. He once told me he has over 50 first cousins. I have to take my dad’s word for it, because there are still several I haven’t even met. I’ll often run into a Gorges or a Pauly, and they’ll ask, “Are you related to so-and-so?” and I’ll say, “I’m not sure, but probably!”

I live with my husband, Willis, who’s a firefighter, and our energetic 4-year-old daughter, Pearl. She brings so much joy and excitement into our lives. Willis and Pearl give so much meaning to my life.

What do you like most about working at United Way of the Plains?

What I like most about working at United Way of the Plains is that I get to be myself. I enjoy meeting people and having real conversations. It’s what gives me energy during a long work week. Again, I think relationships are the most important thing, and I get paid to build those relationships!

I’m proud to be part of a nonprofit that helps the community I grew up in and shaped me to be the person I am today. United Way of the Plains is an organization that operates with integrity. Our local United Way has a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, showing that we value transparency and responsibility.