Q&A with Terri Janison, vice president of community development for United Way
Terri Janison had a solid career in corporate marketing in Jackson, Miss., when she came to Las Vegas two decades ago with her husband, television weathercaster Kevin Janison.
They decided she would be a stay-at-home mother to their young daughter and not return to the corporate world.
That didn’t mean she would stay silent.
Terri Janison spent 16 years as a volunteer advocate on behalf of charities that involved children and families. She later ran for the Clark County School District Board of Trustees, serving five years, including two years as the board’s president.
During her time on the board, Janison lobbied for schools to offer more nutritional foods and increase exercise time for children. The combination was proven to increase academic achievement.
She ceded her school board position to serve on the senior staff of Gov. Brian Sandoval, overseeing community relations and in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
In 2012, Janison joined United Way of Southern Nevada as senior director for the organization’s Access to Health Care Program. In March, she was named the United Way’s vice president of community development.
The position allows Janison to continue her pursue her passion for child advocacy. She has a voice on issues such as education, health care and financial stability for underserved children and families. The role also lets Janison serve on several community advisory boards.
What attracted you to United Way after government work?
It’s the perfect blend. I was involved with many groups on a volunteer basis, always on behalf of child advocacy. United Way supports children, but also families. The school board was a direct tie into education and the needs of schools. The governor’s office was a lot of constituent services. Through United Way and the connection with the business community, the job is much more hands-on.
Do you miss serving on the school board?
I don’t miss the meetings but I loved that work and I miss the direct involvement with the schools. My time on the school board and the connections I made in the school community help me to explain issues to the business community. Parents are very focused on the needs of their own children’s schools. But there is a bigger picture. There is a need across the spectrum.
What went into your decision to be a stay-at-home mother when you first came to Las Vegas?
I had a good career with Blue Cross Blue Shield, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. It led me into several other opportunities. I knew I would eventually get involved in the community.
How did child and family advocacy become so important to you?
I now have a job that has allowed me to come full-circle where I can truly make a difference for the needs of this community. We have an opportunity to help the family as a whole and keep the family unit strong. It’s important to take care of our children. That’s why I have always enjoyed working for organizations that speak up for children.
