Todd Machnik served on the board for the Cape and Islands United Way and is a past board chair. He is the president of TODAY Real Estate, which was founded in 1985 by his parents. He served as Director of Operations and General Counsel from 2003 until 2019 when he and his brother, Craig took over operations and ownership of the company and Todd became the company's president.
Todd grew up in the Town of Yarmouth and graduated from Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School. He went on to earn his B.A. from Williams College and J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. After living in New York, Boston and Milton, Todd returned to the Cape in 2003 and makes Barnstable Village his home with his three children.
In addition to his service to the Cape & Islands United Way, he sits on the board and serves as treasurer for the Cape and Islands Association of REALTORS, is a past director and coach for the Barnstable Youth Basketball League, has coached Barnstable Little League, and is a past director of the Barnstable Village Civic Association.
When did you get involved with this organization?
Mark McCartin, Regional Vice President at Dowling & O'Neil Insurance who was the chair at the time, invited me to consider joining the board over 9 years ago. Our sons were playing junior football together, and while on the sidelines one day, Mark strolled up beside me and asked if I had any interest in getting involved with the Cape and Islands United Way. Being community-minded, I said, “Tell me more,” and took the opportunity to listen and was sold on CIUW’s mission.
What attracted you to the cause?
I saw the value of the work being done by the CIUW, and I saw that there might be a role for me — to help the organization and make an impact locally. I was inspired by the scope and breadth of the groups they were helping — it was across the board, not just in one area. Through their commitment to the four foundational pillars: health, education, housing and economic security — I really felt like I’d be making a difference if I got involved.
In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does?
It’s all so important, but helping kids is what really speaks to me. The community baby showers and the supplemental food programs over the summer are particularly close to my heart. I remember the first baby shower about five years ago so vividly. We gave critical items that meant so much to the low-income families we celebrated – items like car seats and diapers. Then we packed up their cars, and knew that as they drove away, these necessary items were on their way to homes in our community and changing lives.
Of what contribution or achievement are you most proud?
In addition to making financial contributions, I was able to bring more people into the CIUW community through my business. Members of our TODAY Real Estate team have been on several different community impact grant committees, and they have rolled up their sleeves and volunteered during the CIUW’s Day of Action, which serves our local nonprofits.
As you step down from your 9 years of service on the board, do you still plan to be involved with the organization?
Absolutely, and I am proud to say that I’m passing it down, in a sense. My daughter, Sophie Machnik, is a sophomore at Sturgis East and will be doing an internship with the CIUW this summer.
What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future?
I hope the CIUW continues to identify people in need and is able to direct critical resources to those people through our incredible network of local nonprofits. We need to continue to be a leader in this arena.
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