A Conversation with Chief Philanthropy Officer Mai Li Muñoz 

We are thrilled to announce Mai Li Muñoz has joined United Way of Greater Charlotte as Chief Philanthropy Officer. 

Mai Li brings nearly 25 years of experience at the intersection of major gifts fundraising, strategic communications, and institutional advancement. Most recently, Mai Li was Chief Communications Officer for Livingstone College in Salisbury, a role in which she led narrative strategy, stakeholder engagement and institutional visibility. Prior to that role, she held leadership positions across higher education, K-12 public charter networks and nonprofit sectors. 

As Chief Philanthropy Officer, Mai Li builds and maintains relationships in the community while leading the Philanthropy and Donor Engagement team, overseeing all fundraising initiatives including a strategic focus on maintaining strong workplace philanthropy programs, growing individual donor relationships and discovering new major gift opportunities that advance our mission. 

We sat down with Mai Li to learn more about her journey, her connection to United Way and her vision for the work ahead. 

What led you to this role?  

Muñoz: What drew me to this role was a desire to use my experience to make a deeper, more direct impact in the community I care about. Over the years, I’ve worked at large universities with billion-dollar endowments and at small colleges tucked away in quiet counties. Each played an important role in shaping lives through teaching, research, and the transformational experiences of their students, alumni, faculty, and staff. As a fundraiser in those settings, I often didn’t get to see firsthand the direct impact of the work we were supporting. At United Way of Greater Charlotte, I get to experience that impact every day – to see how the dollars we raise translate into real change for families and neighborhoods. That’s what truly excites me about stepping into this role. 

Why do you feel connected to United Way’s mission?  

Muñoz: The world needs what United Way does globally, regionally, and right here in Charlotte. We’re living in a time of deep political and social division, and those who already live on the margins are feeling those divisions most acutely. I’m deeply connected to United Way’s mission because we serve as both a convener and a funder of grassroots and neighborhood organizations that work every day to improve the lives of those who are most vulnerable.  

I’m inspired by our commitment to “doing with, not to” – partnering with communities rather than prescribing solutions. I believe in our focus on lifting children and families out of poverty. When we do that, the entire community benefits economically, socially, and emotionally. Helping our neighbors thrive creates ripple effects of stability, prosperity, and opportunity for everyone. 

What are you bringing into this role, and what are you most looking forward to?  

Muñoz: I bring more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and communications across higher education, along with what I like to call “the heart of an empath.” I recently completed a 360-degree assessment that included feedback from former colleagues, volunteers, and team members. They described me as a leader with emotional intelligence, someone who balances strategy with empathy, listens actively, and makes decisions collaboratively. What I’m most looking forward to is partnering with a passionate team and a community of donors to build something lasting, something that truly moves the needle on opportunity and equity in our region. As I step into this role, I’m reminded that real change — the kind that transforms both people and communities — requires courage, connection, and a willingness to be open.  

Leadership, at its best, isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about listening deeply, building trust, and walking alongside others as we find the answers together. Brené Brown said, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” That’s the kind of leadership I hope to bring to this work and the spirit I see reflected every day in the people who make up this community. 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?  

Muñoz: I’d love to say I do something daring like skydiving or sculpting masterpieces from tissue paper but truthfully, my greatest joy comes from time with my two grandchildren, a five-year-old boy and a soon-to-be three-year-old girl. They don’t live in North Carolina, so every visit is precious. I am at that stage in my life where I love to get up early on weekends and spend time at farmers’ markets. The world is so full of noise, so I like being able to stroll through the markets and pick up products that haven’t been overprocessed. I feel like sometimes, that early in the morning, conversations with other market goers aren’t overprocessed either. It’s a form of meditation for me.  

I also love to travel. My parents didn’t have the means to travel for leisure when I was growing up, but they made sure I had experiences beyond my own neighborhood, which sparked my curiosity about how others live. I didn’t take my first international trip until my early 40s, but now I’m hooked. I have a small, close-knit group of friends I travel with, and exploring new places with them makes every journey even more meaningful.