Malina Blanton works at Wells Fargo. She's also a member of Highlands Circle, a network of passionate young professionals looking to change the odds for families and Buncombe County communities through positive, lasting change. We get to know her a little better in this month's HC Spotlight.

Elisa Jacobs serves as Assistant Director, Enrollment Management, at Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville. She's also a member of Highlands Circle, a network of passionate young professionals looking to change the odds for families and Buncombe County communities through positive, lasting change. We get to know her a little better in this month's HC Spotlight.

Matt Groome is an Asheville native and serves as Vice President & Director of Retirement Plans at Colton Groome & Company. He's also a member of Highlands Circle, a network of passionate young professionals looking to change the odds for families and Buncombe County communities through positive, lasting change. We get to know him a little better in this month's HC Spotlight.

Anthony Mitchell is Department Manager at Insurance Service of Asheville. He's also a member of Highlands Circle, a network of passionate young professionals looking to change the odds for families and Buncombe County communities through positive, lasting change. We get to know him a little better in this month's HC Spotlight.

Ben Fitzpatrick is Lead Software Developer at EATON Corporation. He also serves on the Executive Committee of Highlands Circle, a network of passionate young professionals looking to change the odds for families and Buncombe County communities through positive, lasting change. We get to know him a little better in this month's HC Spotlight.

Liz Britton is a Manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP. She also serves on Highlands Circle's Executive Committee. Highlands Circle is a group of young professionals making an impact in Asheville and Buncombe County. We get to know her in this month's HC Spotlight.

Samantha Little is a Personnel Technician at Buncombe County Health and Human Services. She also serves on the Chair of Highlands Circle's Executive Committee. Highlands Circle is a group of young professionals making an impact in Asheville and Buncombe County. We get to know her in this month's HC Spotlight.

It’s embarrassing I haven’t thought of this before…it is such an important thing to understand. United Way staff members were asked to think about and share their own story of why they “Live United.” Several folks had very compelling experiences that made them aware of how important community is when something bad happens. And it is true that what drives many of us every day to do this work is remembering how difficult life is for so many.