Judi Thurston is a longtime Wilson resident and serves as our United Way Executive Director. Judi served the United Way of Wilson County in a variety of positions throughout the last 35 plus years as both a volunteer and a member of the United Way team. Prior to beimg asked to serve as the United Way Executive Director, Judi was the Director for the Volunteer Action Center and then the United Way Communications Director. As a volunteer, Judi has served as a Campaign Coordinator, a member of the Budgets and Allocations team and the Campaign Cabinet. Judi was also a volunteer of the United Way Board of Directors and won the Marcia Parker Volunteer Award in 1992.
Judi is currently an active member with a variety of boards and committees throughout our community. Judi is the treasurer for the North Carolina Whirligig Festival, serves on the Boards for the Community Foundation, the Wilson Community College Foundation and Wilson Forward. Judi holds important positions on the Juvenile Crime and Prevention Committee, the Wilson/Green Homeless Committee, and the Wilson Wellness Committee and offers her expertise in numerous community events. Judi also enjoys being a member of the Kiwanis All American Club and the Wilson Rotary Club.
As the Director of the United Way, Judi is an expert in Wilson County nonprofit organizations. She attended Western Illinois University and became an advocate for the United Way right after graduating. Judi enjoys spending time with her daughter Alex, son-in-law Riley and grandson Thurston. Judi has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years and is currently an instructor at our new Foundation YMCA.