As part of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration on March 21, Julie Capaldi, President & CEO of United Way of Pickens County, was honored as the recipient of the 2022 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award.
Sponsored by Duke Energy, the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award pays tribute to an individual who uses their time, talent and compassion to positively affect the lives of others in their community or in the workplace. Recipients foster a culture of citizenship and service that acts as a catalyst for others to become involved in civic and social activities.
For 28 years, Julie Capaldi has been the driving force behind the United Way of Pickens County. As President and CEO, she guides United Way's strategies to improve people's lives in the areas of education, financial stability, and basic services.
She is a visionary and a big picture thinker who has completely transformed United Way of Pickens County. She dreams big and always strives for the highest possible goal. When the textile mills closed, United Way lost 60% of its donor base, but her tenacity and forward-thinking approach kept the organization alive by implementing a concentrated effort to diversify funding sources and establishing new leadership giving and planned giving programs.
Julie never sits idle and her energy never fails. When she sees a need, she goes into action. During the COVID pandemic, she created an emergency fund to support local agencies that meet basic needs such as food, rent, and power. In addition, she facilitated the distribution of OneSC Funds to local non-profits.
Under Julie’s leadership, United Way has transitioned from an agency that tried to be everything to everyone to an agency focused on key goals to have 70% of 3rd graders reading on grade level by 2025, moving families toward financial independence, and addressing mental health in Pickens County. In her efforts to achieve these goals, she values the importance of community partnerships and is a master at bringing organizations together for a common purpose. She firmly believes that we can do more and do better, together. During her 28 years of community service, it’s impossible to know the number of lives Julie has touched and improved, whether directly or indirectly. But we do know that Pickens County is a better community because of her commitment and desire to be an agent for change.
Please join Duke Energy and the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce in honoring Julie Capaldi as the recipient of the 2022 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award.
