For Immediate Release
Contact: Nicole Russo-Okamoto - 213-630-2190, nrusso@unitedwayla.org
Newly Appointed President Will Shape Future of United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Los Angeles, March 23, 2005 – Elise Buik has been named president and chief executive officer of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Gregory Stubblefield, volunteer chairman of the board of directors of United Way and Enterprise Rent-A-Car president of California and Hawaii, made the announcement today.
Buik’s selection resulted from a nationwide search involving a committee comprised of 16 prominent local business leaders and chaired by Laura Schulte, president, Wells Fargo, California, Nevada and Border Banking. An independent selection committee representing United Way Board members, other volunteer leaders and representatives of local health and human service charities selected a final candidate for board approval.
During the national search process, committee members considered candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, including the academic community, business, government and leaders from other United Ways.
Buik, who joined United Way of Greater Los Angeles in 1994, was formerly acting president and chief operating officer. Under her leadership, the organization implemented a new, community investment plan focusing on measurable impact as well as the development of key social reports including A Tale of Two Cities, Latino Scorecard, Diverse Face of Asian Pacific Islanders, Literacy At Work and soon to be released State of Black Los Angeles. Buik is the first woman in history to serve as president of United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
“Buik is a person of high integrity with a passionate commitment to the community of Los Angeles and working to change the root causes of poverty,” said Schulte. “She possesses exactly the right credentials and experience that will help guide United Way in the years ahead. She has succeeded in reshaping an organization during a time of change; working with a culturally diverse population; creating and implementing strategic plans; understanding financial and fundraising principles and communicating openly with the public.”
Noted Stubblefield, “Buik takes the helm of United Way of Greater Los Angeles at a pivotal time. We are engaging in strategic planning to define how this United Way can make a significant and meaningful impact on the state of social and human service needs in our county in the second half of this decade.”
Buik will immediately become CEO and president of the organization. She succeeds former president Joseph Haggerty, who is now COO of United Way of America.
United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization that helps the working poor break the cycle of poverty through education, economic empowerment, and basic needs like food and health care. Last year, United Way’s safety net of 250 local charities helped 3.5 million people in Los Angeles County.
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