Elise Buik, President & CEO

In March 2005, Elise Buik made history by becoming the first female President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. An Atlanta native, Elise initially found Los Angeles compelling for its weather. But she stayed for the community and the immediate impact she could make at United Way. After seven years as Marketing Manager for a medical software company, Elise joined United Way in 1994 with a strong belief in the organization and a deep dedication to improving the quality of life in Los Angeles County. Starting in the marketing department, Elise worked her way up through the ranks with long hours and a steadfast commitment to addressing this city’s social and economic challenges. Elise has been instrumental in transforming United Way into a community impact organization that identifies social issues, convenes experts, partners with other organizations and crafts innovative solutions and policy. Under her leadership, United Way launched its strategic 10-year action plan, Creating Pathways Out of Poverty. The plan focuses on three critical issues: ending homelessness by providing housing stability, improving educational achievement, and helping families gain economic mobility.

Elise’s other roles include the City of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board, a Senior Fellowship at the UCLA School of Public Affairs, a place on the advisory board for the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development Master of Public Administration program, and the boards of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Southern California Grantmakers. She was honored with the “2009 Nonprofit CEO of the Year” award from the Los Angeles Business Journal, the “Leadership Award” at Peace Over Violence’s 37th Annual Humanitarian Awards, and the “Non-profit Leadership & Responsibility Award” at the 28th annual Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs Awards Dinner.

Elise is also a wife and mother to two small boys, Hudson and Davis. Being a mother has further strengthened her resolve to build a better Los Angeles.

Oscar Cruz, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Oscar has been a part of the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years, most recently having served as the President and CEO of Families In Schools (FIS), which is dedicated to involving parents in gaining the best possible education for their children. Before this role, Cruz was FIS’ Vice President and Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy. Prior to FlS, Cruz was program Director for Community Partners, directing projects in community technology and civic engagement. He also served as senior program manager at the Center for Civic Education, where he managed an international network of civil society organizations, school districts, universities, and foundations working to implement civic engagement programs for students and youth throughout the United States and Latin America.

Oscar leads strategy and operations at United Way of Greater Los Angeles, helping UWGLA to become a stronger mission-driven organization. As a long-time Angeleno, born in Guatemala, he knows firsthand the critical role community organizations play in helping families in need. Growing-up in downtown Los Angeles in the 1980s, his family relied on many community partners to access high quality education and wrap-around services.

He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America and served as an official international electoral observer in Mexico’s federal elections (2000 and 2006). He holds a Master of Arts degree in Latin American studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and Latin America studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Oscar was born in Guatemala and came to the United States in 1987. He currently resides in North East Los Angeles with his wife and son.

LiNing Recendez, Vice President, Finance

LiNing joined United Way of Greater Los Angeles as Controller in 2010 and hit the ground running, beginning the journey of cleaning up financials. She ensures accuracy between Gift Processing and financial reporting systems and reconciles revenue and balance sheet accounts – thus establishing best practices that set UWGLA up for success. A dedicated employee, LiNing was later promoted to Vice President, Finance. Prior to United Way, LiNing was a Senior Audit Manager at accounting firm Grant Thornton.

LiNing has worked tirelessly with all departments, outside vendors, and auditors, and has established herself as the "go to" person for all things financial in the organization. She leads the United Way Audit Committee and Investment Committee, and has graciously accepted additional tasks placed upon her exhibiting great commitment as a team player. LiNing has played an active role in helping shape our Organizational Scorecard, annual goals and budgets, and strategic initiatives. She holds degrees from UCLA and Golden Gate University. LiNing is a Certified Public Account (CPA) in California, and a member of the American Institute of CPAs as well as a member of the California Society of CPAs.

Taulene Kagan, Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Taulene Kagan has spent the last 25 years in the fields of Marketing, Communications, Events, and Public Relations, with an emphasis on fundraising and strategic planning within the non-profit sector.  Prior to her role as Vice President, she served as the Director of Marketing & Communications for United Way from 2006 through 2013.  Additionally, she has been serving as the Executive Director for the Redondo Beach Police Foundation. During her history at United Way, Taulene helped lead the strategy and launch of United Way’s historical transformation from a pass-through organization to a mission-based one with its Creating Pathways Out of Poverty Plan. She spearheaded and supervised the launch of several community, corporate, county, and city based initiatives promoting and leveraging United Way’s three pathways in education, housing and economic mobility. She was part of the original team that developed and launched United Way’s annual 5K family run/walk to end homelessness, HomeWalk, and has stewarded its growth and production from a 4,000-person walk in 2007, to one with over 10,000 participants at Grand Park. To date, HomeWalk has raised over $8.5M, mobilized nearly 100,000 Angelenos and helped house 19,000 formerly homeless individuals. Taulene is excited for the next elevation of HomeWalk 2019, in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams. 

Taulene serves on the board of Puttin on Productions (POPs), an established nonprofit providing high quality arts and theater to young people. Originally, from Toronto, Canada she lives in Manhattan Beach with her husband, three children, two rescue dogs, and the latest family addition, Ginger the guinea pig.