It taught me to accept change and to be flexible and to be able to meet strangers and immediately build relationships. Growing up on military bases was a wonderful experience. About every three years we moved to a different military installation.

My siblings and I became global citizens. Q: Tell me about your personal background.Ī: I was born in Anderson, S.C., in 1963, where my dad was a pastor in a Baptist church. Williams talked with the Chronicle about the challenges ahead for her and the qualities she brings to the job. In addition to addressing the organization’s internal shortcomings, she says she won’t shy away from pressing its long list of heavyweight corporate supporters to make sure that their equity efforts are not a passing fad.Īt the same time, Williams must oversee the ongoing transformation of United Way Worldwide’s key workplace fundraising efforts in an era when many workers have shifted to remote work, perhaps permanently. Williams says she wants to make United Way Worldwide, which recently topped the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s list of America’s Favorite Charities, a moral leader when it comes to equity and workplace culture.

Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Her resume also includes stints at the YMCA of the USA, the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and eight years as a lawyer and active-duty member in the U.S. Williams previously led Easterseals, where she broadened its governing structure to include a wider variety of voices at the top levels of the organization.

Shortly after the release of the report, longtime United Way Worldwide CEO Brian Gallagher announced his departure.Īround the same time, the United Way Worldwide headquarters reduced staffing by 19% through attrition, voluntary agreements, and position eliminations, according to a spokeswoman, who noted that much of United Way’s fundraising last year produced money earmarked for COVID relief or other needs, and not necessarily operational expenses. Angela Williams has taken the helm of the nation’s largest charity with a powerhouse resume behind her - and a long list of challenges in front of her.Īs the first woman and the first African American to lead United Way Worldwide, she must deal with the fallout of accusations by three former employees of a toxic workplace culture that led to an internal investigation and a recommendation that the organization improve its workplace culture, morale, and procedures for preventing and punishing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

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