Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
How delivering pizzas turned into a CEO career for one Huntsville resident
Reading time: 6 minutes
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Daniel puts on a suit to go to work every day now, but he’ll never forget what it took to get there: 14-hour days, two jobs and endless pizza deliveries.
Read on to learn more about his story, which spans from Africa to Alabama and culminates in his position as the CEO of United Way of Madison County (UWMC).
Daniel’s incredible story
Daniel is originally from Zimbabwe, Africa, but moved to the U.S. with his family when he was two years old, spending most of his childhood in Pennsylvania.
After Daniel graduated from college, he launched his career in the non-profit sector with the YMCA. From there, his path was anything but predictable. Yet, all along the way, there was one core principle guiding him:
Relationships matter (God, family and career).
“I’ll never forget what my Board Chair at the YMCA, Judge Andra Sparks, told me:
‘Daniel, in order for you to be successful, you first need to develop relationships that matter, and then business will happen. Once you figure it out, Daniel, the world will be your oyster.'”
Daniel Kasambira, President & CEO of United Way of Madison County
After several years at the YMCA, Daniel decided to accept a fantastic opportunity at a for-profit company, but he was eventually affected by a wave of layoffs.
With four children to support, Daniel had to dig deeper.
Delivering pizzas soon became the answer.
Delivering pizzas to a CEO career
“I once heard Dave Ramsey say that sometimes you need to deliver pizzas to make it, so I started working at Papa John’s. As humbling as that job was, I continued to understand the importance of relationships.”
Daniel Kasambira, President & CEO of United Way of Madison County
After searching for a position for months, Daniel landed a job as a Relationship Manager with United Way of Central Alabama, but it was an entry-level position, and he still needed to deliver pizzas to make ends meet. He worked 14 hours most days for three and a half years.
That December, he and his wife wouldn’t have been able to give Christmas gifts to their children if a family hadn’t offered to provide Christmas for them.
Fast forward a few years, Daniel landed a job at Alabama A&M and moved to Huntsville, finally turning in his Papa John’s uniform. He continued to build relationships there, even saving one student from expulsion who ended up starting a non-profit.
After that, he worked for the YMCA and rose to the position of Chief Development and Community Outreach Officer before being selected by the United Way Search Committee and accepting their offer for the esteemed position of President & CEO of United Way of Madison County.
“After I got the news, the first person I called was my wife. I said ‘You and the kids loved me and stood by me when I had my Papa John’s shirt on. on or a suit and tie. We made it.’
I went on to make calls for the next hour and a half to individuals who impacted me on this journey well traveled.”
Daniel Kasambira, President & CEO of United Way of Madison County
Leading a strong team at United Way of Madison County
(L-R)Branden Gaddis, College & Career Manager, Juanita Gonzalez, Impact Coalition Program Manager, Ellena Smith, Receptionist, Daniel Kasambira, Cathy Miller, Community Impact Director, Deb Swindle, Accounting Associate (Lacey Muenstermann / Hville Blast)
Daniel has now been the CEO of United Way for over three years, but he doesn’t do it alone. He has a strong team there, with some employees having been on the staff for more than a decade.
One thing you should know about United Way is that the team gets valuable input from over 1,000 social service users, service providers, community stakeholders, and members of the public through interviews, focus groups and surveys throughout Madison County and provides a Community Needs Assessment every three to five years to evaluate the needs of the Madison County community. Through that, they’ve been able to see gaps that need to be filled—like transportation issues and childhood reading scores.
That’s where their top-notch programs come in.
United Way’s meaningful programs
Check out United Way’s top programs and the impact they’ve made on Madison County:
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: A reading program for children 0-5 years old that includes one free book a month
- The program now serves every zip code in Madison County, and over 9,000 children receive a monthly free book, an increase from 523 children in two years.
- UWMC’s Imagination Library is #2 in the state and #34 in the country.
- I Lead, You Lead: A 33-week immersive program that equips 14-18 year olds for college and career readiness. Currently being offered at Lee and Columbia High Schools.
- 80% of participants show improved leadership skills; 60% of eligible seniors apply to postsecondary programs.
- RIDE UNITED Transportation Access: A free transportation program available for those who need to go to pre-employment appointments, short-term job readiness programs and medical appointments
- Since its launch in 2020, the program has provided over 38,000 rides!
- After four and a half years, RIDE UNITED is experiencing significant growth and needs to rebuild resources. This is a priority program, and you can donate now.
- United Way Annual Giving: Donate now.
Check out other programs and initiatives through United Way of Madison County.
Volunteer or donate with United Way
Even if one of the incredible programs above doesn’t seem like the best fit, you can still find a way to serve with UWMC.
“We can always find a way to place people where they want to be. That’s something we provide that not many organizations can do. We have 26 partners we work with and so many opportunities to make a difference.”
Daniel Kasambira, President & CEO of United Way of Madison County
Volunteer or donate to priorities like RIDE UNITED with United Way of Madison County today.
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