United Way Bay Area welcomes Keisha Browder as chief executive officer

MEDIA CONTACT:
Haley Kubik
haley@emccommunications.com
(425) 260-4100

San Francisco, Oct. 21, 2024 – Today, United Way Bay Area (UWBA), one of the most respected and highly effective philanthropic organizations fighting poverty in the region, announced that Keisha Browder will become its next Chief Executive Officer. Her first day will be Monday, October 21. Browder comes to United Way Bay Area with over 25 years of experience working to advance girls’ leadership, youth well-being, economic opportunity, and racial justice, including in her most recent role as CEO of United Way of Santa Cruz County. As CEO, Browder will oversee UWBA’s staff, resource development, programmatic, and financial operations while leading strategic partnerships in the community and execution of UWBA’s strategic plan. Browder will be the first Black chief executive for the organization since its founding more than a century ago.

“It is with great excitement that we welcome Keisha Browder to our team,” said Gioia McCarthy, Chair of the United Way Bay Area Board of Directors. “Keisha’s tenure at nearby United Way of Santa Cruz County is a testament to her understanding of United Way’s unique ability to mobilize a region to meet community needs. Keisha possesses the philanthropic, programmatic, leadership, and political savvy to move more families towards financial prosperity. She will lead our organization with compassion, care, and a steadfast commitment to making the Bay Area a place where all people have the opportunities and resources to thrive. I also want to thank interim CEO Kelly Batson for her service to the organization and our community during this transition period.”

Prior to joining UWBA, Browder served in various roles at United Way of Santa Cruz County, including CEO, Director of Development & Marketing, and Associate Executive Director. Browder also served as the Resource Development Director for Trident United Way in Charleston, South Carolina and led Development and Marketing for various Girl Scouts Councils including Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina. She brings extensive experience in stakeholder management, relationship building, and strategic planning to UWBA. Browder, a Bay Area resident for more than 10 years, serves on the Gilroy Housing Coalition, which is powered by United Way Bay Area’s Housing Justice Initiative. She also serves as co-Chair of the United Way Statewide Public Policy Committee.

“My work has always been driven by my values – dignity, integrity, and compassion for all – as well as my commitment to serving and empowering people in diverse communities,” said Keisha Browder, incoming CEO of United Way Bay Area. “With immense gratitude for my time in Santa Cruz County, I am honored and excited to bring these values to the Bay Area, where this organization is a leader in combating poverty and building equitable pathways to prosperity.”

To schedule an interview with Keisha Browder or Gioia McCarthy, contact Haley Kubik at (425) 260-4100 or haley@emccommunications.com.

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About United Way Bay Area
United Way Bay Area (UWBA) mobilizes the Bay Area to assist people living in poverty and to dismantle the root causes of poverty. One of the most respected and highly effective philanthropic organizations fighting poverty, UWBA supports workers and students seeking employment and better careers, helps families struggling to meet basic needs, supports our neighbors toward achieving their financial stability goals, and advocates for housing justice for all Bay Area residents. Learn more at uwba.org.