'Together We Achieve More' with Kiran Handa Gaudioso

Welcome to episode 47 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

This week my guest is Kiran Handa Gaudioso, CEO, United Way of Northern New Jersey and President of United for ALICE. ALICE means asset, limited, income, constrained, employed.

We start off the interview talking about boxes to check when it comes to ethnicity as Kiran was born to a Dad who is from India and a Mom who is Irish and grew up in NJ. She shares more on what it is like to be born into a mixed family.

Kiran has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2017, following four years as the organization’s Senior Vice President of Community Impact and Community Relations. She has overseen strategic planning for how the organization fulfills its mission of improving life for ALICE and those in poverty at the local, state, and national level including, United for ALICE. This research-based initiative with United Ways in 24 states provides a comprehensive study of households that earn above the poverty level, but less than a basic cost of living.

At the United Way, Kiran oversees an annual budget of $8.2M and a staff team of 50.  Over the past year, she led the establishment of the ALICE Recovery Fund and the creation of an innovative childcare pilot, United in Care.  She was asked by Governor Murphy to co-chair the Third Sector Advisory Council to work with public sector leaders across the state to develop relief, recovery, and re-imagination strategies to support ALICE. 

Prior to joining United Way, Kiran served as interim CEO and Vice President of Program Operations at New Jersey After 3, the public-private partnership that worked to provide safe, quality after-school and expanded learning time programs for 15,000 public school students in New Jersey. During her nine years with New Jersey After 3, Kiran created and managed a professional development system for 6,000 after-school program directors, site managers, and staff. She also oversaw the organization’s annual grant application process involving more than 100 after-school programs.

Kiran developed programmatic and operational management expertise while serving as director of Mentoring, Volunteerism & Enrichment Programs at Sponsor For Educational Opportunity. There, she led the development of a mentoring program designed to help New York City teens reach their academic, personal, and career potential.

Early in her career, as a policy adviser under former Governor James Florio in the New Jersey Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, Kiran was instrumental in establishing AmeriCorps in New Jersey.

During this episode Kiran and I talk about many different topics including the evolution of her career, the continued passion she has for the incredible work she is doing to help the underserved in NJ, current events, the stress of being a working parent, and the importance of focusing on grace. This was a great conversation about fulfillment and finding balance when it comes to making a difference in the work that you do every day. 

Next week my guest is Perry Tuttle. The title of that interview is Do What You Can, While You Can.  Perry's TEDx really speaks to Perry's character, passion, and his incredible ability to inspire. 

Please subscribe to the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube Channel, stream this podcast on all streaming sites . Like us on FB and Instagram at Today is the Day Live it. I am the CEO and Co-founder of the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation. Connecting children and young adults ages 7-22 who meet the financial needs requirements with ongoing lessons in dance, acting, instrumental music, and vocal instruction. Visit Today is the Day for more information about this podcast, coaching and consulting services. 

Have a great week everyone!