Reviewed by: Patience Itson
One local mom built a career around service + now her daughters do the same
Reading time: 6 minutes
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Sisters Emily and Mary Elizabeth are early in their careers, but they’ve made a point to get involved in the Birmingham area and give back in everything they do. Whether it’s volunteering with United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) or donating funds and supplies to other local nonprofits.
Their biggest inspiration? Their mom: Kelly Carlton. As the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at UWCA, Kelly has developed a heart for local communities, and she’s passed it on to her family.
We sat down with Kelly, Emily and Mary Elizabeth to hear stories of the past 30+ years with UWCA, why they give back and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Kelly Carlton lives a life centered around UWCA
After graduating from Samford University, Kelly worked as a CPA. When her first daughter, Kaitlyn, was born, she stepped into a new role as head of internal audit at UWCA.
About 18 months in, she was asked to be the Chief Financial Officer.
“I came here thinking it was just for a three-year non-compete contract agreement. But I fell in love with the organization. I realized I lived in a bubble. I didn’t know how many needs were in our direct community.
That sealed the deal, and when they asked me to be CFO, I said yes and never looked back.”
Kelly Carlton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, UWCA
Before she knew it, the mission of UWCA had gone from her workplace to her home, shaping the way she raised her family.
After serving as CFO for 25 years, Kelly stepped into her current role as the Executive VP and COO.
During our conversation, I could see the love Kelly and her daughters had for UWCA. It was evident in the stories they shared and the lessons they learned over three decades.
“The biggest thing I want to do is pass on what I create so that somebody else can learn it and carry it forward.
I feel the same way about my girls. They know about UWCA and about all of the different projects we do, and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of.”
Kelly Carlton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, UWCA
Passing the United Way on to her daughters
Sitting on either side of Kelly were her daughters, Emily and Mary Elizabeth.
While neither of them works at UWCA—Emily, a Senior Vice President in Regions Bank’s IT Risk Management department and Mary Elizabeth the Communications Director for VAX 2 STOP CANCER—they’ve both found ways to dive in and make a difference.
“Some of my earliest memories are in this building. My mom ingrained in us a servant’s heart from the very beginning. That taught me from an early age to have an interest in what’s going on, and not just in your direct family or the places you go every day.”
Mary Elizabeth Mejia
Mary Elizabeth served as a Loaned Executive during the 2023-2024 term, and Emily followed suit the year after. Loaned Executives are employees of UWCA corporate partners who are “loaned” to UWCA to help fundraise during each annual campaign.
Emily and Mary Elizabeth always knew about UWCA, but they both expressed that you’ll never really know how much it impacts local communities until you’re immersed in it yourself.
“I always gave to United Way financially, but I felt myself getting slightly removed from the heart of it. The Loaned Executive program jolted me back in and reminded me that it’s not just topics of hunger, shelter or safety. These are actual people.”
Emily Stewart
As Kelly and her daughters packed period supply kits for the Period Supply Drive, the conversation naturally turned to Women United—a UWCA donor network that brings women together to support and lead community impact across Central Alabama.
Empowering women across Central Alabama
Women United is a leadership organization comprised of women who donate $1,000 or more to UWCA each year to provide individuals, families and neighborhoods access to the resources they need to lead a better life.
Locally, 1,600 members have given around $4 million to UWCA’s annual campaign.
As a member, you receive:
- Networking + collaboration opportunities with local leaders
- A Wednesday lunch series highlighting key issues impacting local communities
- Volunteer opportunities at community organizations
The goal is to create lasting change to lift up entire communities by helping those who need it most.
“I wanted to be around and inspired by other professional women. This is clearly women leading a charge for women who see needs that other people maybe wouldn’t.”
Kelly Carlton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, UWCA
Donate period products now through March 27
Speaking of women seeing needs that other people might not: This messaging of empowerment continues through the Period Supply Drive: created to bring feminine products to individuals who have limited or no access to them.
Last year, UWCA collected more than 45,000 products, valued at over $20,000. Volunteers packed 2,000 period supply kits for teen girls.
Now until Friday, March 27 you can drop off pantyliners, pads, tampons and other menstrual products across these six locations across Central Alabama:
- Blount County Board of Education
- Chilton County DHR
- UWCA offices
- Shelby Emergency Assistance
- St. Clair County DHR
- Jasper Civic Center
Period supplies will be taken to shelters for women and children, youth mentoring programs, schools and other community assistance agencies.
You can also:
“In high school, I got my Girl Scout Gold Award by raising funds to bring self-care items to an Indian reservation site. I pulled out these bags that had very common, everyday items that I take for granted. But the excitement these kids had was something I didn’t expect.
I’ve seen the impact these products make in helping others feel whole, so of course, I want to help provide that for other women.”
Emily Stewart
Join the charge of women leaders through United Way of Central Alabama, and donate to the Period Supply Drive now through Friday, March 27.
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