TAUW LEGENDS: Monica basu
The TAUW Legends video series preserves the voices and stories of those who shaped our first century of service. As part of our Centennial celebration, Jesse Boudiette, president of Propeller Consulting and Centennial Committee member, sat down with Monica Basu, who works for the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
Join us in continuing Monica’s legacy of compassion and community impact. Your gift today in honor of Monica helps write the next chapter of our story, ensuring that future generations will have access to the same life-changing services that have touched so many lives over the past century.
INterview highlights
Jesse Boudiette: How did you get involved?
Monica Basu: To me, when young people start in their careers, they have so many different expenses. I remember when I was starting out. I had a husband who was a student, and I could barely make ends meet. We shared a car, and when my boss first told me about United Way, I thought, “What is it? How can I even afford to give anything, even ten extra dollars from my paycheck?” But the importance of community came through for me. My boss, who was also a mentor, told me, “You start early; you think about your community early. You may have this much, but there are people who have a lot less.”
Jesse: Why do you and your husband donate?
Monica: It’s a bit embarrassing to share, but as part of the 100-year campaign, he and I—this was actually his idea—looked at each other at the kickoff at the Summit Club when Becky Frank and Chet Cadieux spoke and said, “We ought to do a legacy gift.” So we actually just signed our house over, so that whenever we both pass away, the money from the house sale will go to United Way. It’s not a lot, and who knows when that will happen, but we felt like we wanted to leave a legacy gift. Maybe that’ll change as time goes on, but it’s just a commitment and a feeling we had.