Ingrid Chalita, Impact Project Manager
Ingrid brings an eclectic background to the United Way. A native of Caracas, she holds two law degrees. In Venezuela, Ingrid worked as an attorney and an independent contractor, mostly for the Venezuelan Army.
Ingrid’s local resume includes a stint as a research assessor at UVa’s Curry School of Education. At the Curry School, she was involved in the PALS Español project. PALS is a screening tool for early literacy skills and a key component of the Virginia’s Early Intervention Reading Initiative.
Ingrid’s experience at the Curry School dovetails with the United Way’s focus on School Readiness. Likewise, her certification as a healthcare interpreter supports our focus on Community Health and bolsters our capacity to serve Spanish-speaking clients. She has also worked with Albemarle County as an interpreter and Student Support Specialist.
The United Way welcomed Ingrid to the staff in May of 2018. She started as a Volunteer Coordinator, successfully orchestrating the annual Laurence E. Richardson Day of Caring.
As Impact Project Manager, Ingrid facilitates the work of our Impact Teams. The teams, made up mostly of United Way board members, set goals and review grant applications in the areas of School Readiness, Community Health, and Self Sufficiency. The teams rely on Ingrid for information and process guidance.
Ingrid also participates in the delivery of the United Way’s direct services. She coordinates the Early Learners Scholarship applications process. Her portfolio also includes the Family Self-Sufficiently Pilot, the Mixed Delivery Project, and the Children’s Data Consortium.
What has Ingrid learned since joining the United Way staff?
“This experience has taught me that the best way to make a difference in life is in your own environment, practicing and teaching individual social responsibility,” she said. “The United Way is giving me the opportunity to do just that. This is a unique experience, and for that I feel very fortunate.”