How Hilarie Bass Lives United
A leader by every definition, Hilarie Bass is one of the most powerful lawyers in the country. She is co-president of the legal powerhouse Greenberg Traurig and in 2017, she will take the helm as president of the American Bar Association. She has not only reached the glass ceiling but shattered it, paving the way for others to follow.
Hilarie's leadership extends throughout her 30+ years of involvement with United Way of Miami-Dade. She's a loyal contributor and a member of the Tocqueville Society, she believes in the mission and cares a great deal about the future of the organization. That's why Hilarie has chosen to make the ultimate gift to the organization's endowment by including United Way in her estate plans.
Her long-standing relationship with United Way began as a young lawyer at Greenberg Traurig, giving through the firm's workplace campaign, and before long, she was volunteering for what was then an allocations panel for youth development (today's impact councils).
Being part of the panel opened her eyes to the value of diversity in decision-making. Through United Way she experienced first-hand how decisions were better informed and richer when a broad cross-section of voices and perspectives - men, women, blacks, whites, Hispanics, Haitians, Christians, Jews, old, young, gay, straight - were represented. A trailblazer by nature, that first year on the panel she fought to ensure that programming for young girls received equitable funding to programming for young boys.
"Often there is a disconnect between writing a check and the people who receive the help, but through the committee, I realized how close the connection could be and how I could make a difference," Bass said.
And make a difference she has. Since that eye-opening experience, Bass would continue on her United Way path - changing numerous lives along the way.
As chair of United Way's strategic planning committee, she led efforts to redefine our mission - Building community by helping people care for one another - a statement that still defines us today.
As chair of the board from 1997-1999, Hilarie oversaw the purchase of a permanent home for United Way's headquarters, today's current Batchelor campus.
And, as chair of what was then called United Way Success By 6, Hilarie was one of the architects of our nationally renowned United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education.
Hilarie feels strongly that the work of United Way is vital for a better community and that this need will only increase in the future. With this endowment gift, she ensures that her imprint will be felt in just about every corner of this organization in perpetuity.
Today, tomorrow and forever Hilarie has a stake in United Way of Miami-Dade, the community it impacts and the lives it changes. Not only talking the talk, but walking the walk, is how Hilarie Bass LIVES UNITED.
