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WILKES-BARRE — Nina Dei Tos grew up in Freeland, left the area for college and returned with her degree in hand and a passion for improving her community.
Dei Tos, 33, now lives in Drums. She is engaged to Scott Zanon, and the couple will be married on June 10. As vice president of resource development at the United Way of Wyoming Valley, Dei Tos devotes every day to working diligently to improve the quality of life of those who, as she described, are less fortunate than most.
Dei Tos is one of the Times Leader’s “20 Under 40,” being featured for their dedication to making Wyoming Valley a better place to live, work and play.
“This took me by surprise,” Dei Tos said of her selection. “It’s a huge honor. As far as my work in the community, I can attribute it to what I was taught growing up — taught by my parents, my church and my high school. I’ve always been taught to give back to those who are less fortunate.”
Dei Tos took those lesson learned to Washington, D.C., and Catholic University of America. While there, she said she did a lot of volunteer work, exposing her to homelessness and getting an up close view of the tremendous amount of need in the community.
While in college, Dei Tos worked as a waitress. At her workplace, on a night she happened to be off, a disgruntled former employee returned to the restaurant and killed three of her co-workers. That tragedy influenced Dei Tos to change her major to psychology because she knew she wanted to work with families of victims of violent crimes.
When she graduated from college, Dei Tos returned to her home area and her first job was at the Victims Resource Center, where she used her skills to counsel families.
After switching career paths, Dei Tos has worked at three places where she has raised funds for not-for-profit organizations — MMI Preparatory School (her alma mater), The Commonwealth Medical College and United Way of Wyoming Valley.
Despite the change in career, Dei Tos has volunteered with organizations that help others, such as Marley’s Mission and the SPCA.
“I always want to stay involved in that type of work,” Dei Tos said.
She and her fiance have rescued a dog — named Bartlebee — a 2-year-old pit bull/hound mix. He is named after Bartleby the Scrivener, a Herman Melville work.
Dei Tos also worked with the family of Dr. Jennifer Sidari to establish the Dr. Jen’s Hope Fund, advancing the mission of continuing Sidari’s legacy.
For more 20 Under 40 stories, click here.
