Community champion and Macon sports icon Jaime Kaplan has joined the United Way of Central Georgia to build and deepen relationships with major individual donors.

As Director of Philanthropy, Kaplan’s primary focus will be to nurture connections and further develop UWCG’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society. The United Way Tocqueville Society was founded more than 21 years ago to deepen the understanding, commitment and support of United Way’s most generous and community-minded contributors.

“Jaime is a winner pure and simple,” said United Way of Central Georgia President and CEO George McCanless. “I am confident that her history of accomplishments will continue as she plays a major role in the management and growth of our Alexis de Tocqueville Society membership.”

Kaplan will also craft strategies to solicit and secure major individual and family donations and to recognize those who have given generously to the organization.

She has a strong history of development, having worked as a major gifts coordinator and alumni director at Stratford Academy. She also founded the Five Star Kevin Brown/Russell Henley Celebrity Classic, a tournament centered around golf that has raised more than $6 million in 28 years.

Kaplan will continue managing the classic while working for UWCG. She will also stay engaged in another of her passions: Coaching the boys and girls tennis teams at Stratford Academy.

“I have always admired the amazing work United Way of Central Georgia does and how many people they touch in our community,” said Kaplan. “I couldn’t be more excited to join the United Way team.”

Kaplan is one of the most famous athletes Macon has ever produced. During the 1980s, she played on the elite Women’s Tennis Association tour. She competed at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and other tennis major tournaments. In 2001, she was inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame and in 2005 she was named a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

“While her deep roots and reputation in this community will be a huge asset in her new role, what really excites me is knowing the level of passion and incredible dedication she has for helping those less fortunate,” said McCanless.

Kaplan is the daughter of Letty and Leonard (deceased) Kaplan. She is the youngest of four children