Twenty years ago, a young professional with a passion for community development made a decision that would shape not only his career, but the future of Community Action and the communities it serves.

When Marc Perry joined Community Action in 2006 as Planning Director, he was returning home with a purpose.

“I had the desire to move home and give back to the community that raised me,” Marc reflects. “The opportunity to have a positive impact at home, spend more time with my family, and be a role model for youth growing up where I grew up was hard to pass up.”

What began as a desire to serve became a two-decade journey defined by vision, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to helping people access opportunities and achieve self-reliance.

Building Opportunities, Not Just Programs

Long before he became Executive Director, Marc was already focused on creating pathways for success.

Having grown up in a family with limited financial resources, Marc understands firsthand that circumstance does not define potential.

“I wanted to create programs that provided children with access and opportunities regardless of how much money they had or did not have,” he says. “The amount of money someone has or does not have should never be a determining factor in the true value of that person.”

That belief would become a guiding principle throughout his career.

Marc went on to design and lead some of Community Action’s most influential programs. Among them was PREP, a youth development initiative that became deeply intertwined with his professional identity.

“PREP was my life for a decade,” he says. “I wrote the grant, designed the service delivery model, facilitated the program for thousands of students, trained facilitators nationwide, founded PREP Summer Camp and PREP After School.”

The impact of those efforts can still be seen today in the lives of young people who were given the opportunity to dream bigger, explore new possibilities, and build futures they may never have imagined.

Transforming an Organization

When Marc first arrived, Community Action was already doing exceptional work. But there was one challenge he was tasked with addressing.

“I was told that Community Action was the best-kept secret in two counties,” he recalls. “It was my responsibility to change that.”

Over the years, Marc helped lead a transformation in how the organization presented itself to the community. Individual program branding gave way to a unified identity. The now-recognizable open door logo became a symbol of hope, opportunity, and support across Rock and Walworth Counties.

“If nothing else, when people see the open door in our logo, they associate that with a safe space that helps people,” Marc says.

Today, Community Action is recognized as one of the region’s most impactful anti-poverty organizations, investing millions of dollars annually into programs and services that strengthen families and communities.

Leading with Purpose

In 2020, after years of serving in multiple leadership roles, Marc became Executive Director.

While his experiences prepared him for the position, he quickly learned what many leaders discover.

“Nothing can truly prepare you for leading an organization like Community Action,” he says. “You truly don’t know what it takes until you sit in the seat.”

What has defined Marc’s leadership is not a focus on titles or personal recognition, but on service.

His leadership principles are simple and consistent:

  • Accountability always.
  • No one is bigger than the organization.
  • Never ask someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself.
  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Stay true to yourself.

Most importantly, Marc believes leadership begins with people.

“It’s not about me,” he says. “It’s about the people we serve and the people doing the service.”

Colleagues know this philosophy well. Throughout his tenure, Marc has championed the talents of staff, encouraged innovation, and created space for others to succeed.

“Hiring good people, making sure they have the resources they need, and then getting out of their way,” he says, “that’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.”

Understanding the “Why”

Across more than 30 years of service to youth, families, and communities, Marc has witnessed both tremendous challenges and extraordinary resilience.

His experiences working directly in neighborhoods and alongside families shaped his understanding of poverty and the systems that perpetuate it.

“I learned that it is important to understand the ‘why’ behind things,” he says.

That perspective continues to influence Community Action’s approach today. Rather than focusing solely on immediate needs, Marc has consistently advocated for addressing root causes and creating lasting pathways to self-reliance.

He often reminds others that success begins with respect and trust.

“The people we serve do not owe us anything,” he says. “They owe everything to themselves. We serve because we choose to.”

A Legacy of Relationships

Ask Marc what has been the most rewarding part of his career, and the answer comes quickly.

“The people.”

Over two decades, he has worked alongside dedicated staff, board members, volunteers, community partners, and participants whose lives have intersected with Community Action’s mission.

He credits many mentors and colleagues for helping shape his journey, particularly former Executive Director Lisa Furseth, who introduced him to the Community Action network and helped him understand both the mission and the business of nonprofit leadership.

But Marc’s gratitude extends far beyond any one person.

“I am thankful to anyone who took a moment to help me along the way,” he says. “And to every human being who allowed me to learn from them and trusted me enough to be a small part of their lives.”

That spirit of gratitude was evident during Community Action’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, a milestone Marc describes as one of his proudest moments.

“It was paying homage to everyone who built this place, thanking everyone currently supporting our mission and vision, and transitioning to our future.”

Looking Ahead

Twenty years after walking through Community Action’s doors, Marc remains as committed to the mission as ever.

He sees the future in stronger collaborations, deeper community engagement, and innovative public-private partnerships that can address poverty at a systemic level.

He also believes organizations like Community Action must continue educating, advocating, and ensuring communities understand both the challenges families face and the opportunities that can change lives.

As he reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind, his answer is characteristically humble.

“I hope that people say two things about me,” he says. “I cared and I served.”

Those who have worked alongside Marc over the past two decades would likely say they already do.

Through his leadership, Community Action has expanded its reach, strengthened its voice, and remained steadfast in its mission of helping individuals and families pursue and achieve self-reliance. More importantly, he has never lost sight of the people at the center of the work.

For 20 years, Marc Perry has helped open doors, create opportunities, and inspire others to believe in what is possible.

And for that, Community Action, its staff, partners, volunteers, supporters, and the countless individuals whose lives have been touched by the organization are profoundly grateful.

Thank you, Marc, for 20 years of caring, serving, leading, and believing in the power of community.