RAQUEL PAINTER

President, United Way of Onslow County

Retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major Raquel Painter, with more than 26 years of military service, has held the position of President/Chief Professional Officer for United Way of Onslow County since April 2018. After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2016, Raquel Painter began working with Hope For The Warriors as its Community Development Manager and subsequently as the Director of Community Development.

Her work with Wounded Service Members was an inspiration for non-profit work. Raquel Painter’s military experience and work with Hope For The Warriors set her up for success in her focus of supporting Onslow County through United Way’s mission, vision and goals.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Raquel is the Co-Founder/Board Chair of the Onslow Strong Disaster Recovery Alliance, Founder/Board Chair of the Onslow Veterans Pow Wow, member of the Military Affairs Committee, member of the Jacksonville Onslow Civic Affairs Committee, member of the Steering Committee for Turning Adversity into Success for Children in Onslow, she is an active Rotarian and is a member of the Strategic Opioid Advanced Response committee.

Raquel is a member of the Native American Women Warriors’ Association and is certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Raquel was North Carolina’s 2021 Combat Veteran of the Year and the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce 2021 Woman of the Year. She received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. In 2025, Raquel was appointed by Governor Stein to serve on the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission.