“If no one gave back, where would we be?” Her sister’s question certainly made Jeri Meola think, but more important, it made her take action in the community.

Now president of Minnetonka-based Satisfaction Management Systems, Jeri has come along way since her volunteer candy-striper days; three years ago, she became one of the founding members of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council in the Twin Cities.

United by a common goal, increasing children’s school readiness, the Council brings together energetic, talented women in the metro area who are passionate about supporting the community.  

“Minnesota just doesn’t have a good story to tell about how we’re helping children in need,” Jeri says. And it’s true. Research shows that 50 percent of Minnesota’s children are not fully prepared for kindergarten. With the Council’s help, United Way will be telling another story—a better story—in 2012, by which time United Way Success By 6™ and other community partners plan to have 80 percent of the state’s children ready for school success.

Jeri believes in people working together to make a big impact. “It takes a community of individuals to support the community,” she says. “It doesn’t happen alone. Power comes in numbers.” For United Way, that power is driven by leaders like Jeri, dedicated to truly making a difference, mobilizing their peers to make the greatest impact in the community. 

But what drives Jeri? “I have a social responsibility, especially after being a business owner. I have a responsibility to give back to the community that helped us succeed,” she says. It’s probably safe to say that with Jeri around, we’ll always be able to count on people giving back in our community.

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