United Way Worldwide has announced the appointment of Angela F. Williams as president and CEO, effective October 15.

Williams will be the first African American to lead UWW, following the resignation in March of Brian Gallagher, who had served as CEO since 2009, when United Way of America and United Way International merged; Gallagher had become president and CEO of UWA in 2002, succeeding Betty S. Beene. Williams currently serves as president and CEO of Easterseals; she previously spent eleven years at YMCA of the USA as executive vice president, general counsel, and chief administration officer and served as the interfaith liaison for the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund at the Clinton Foundation. She began her career as an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps, served on Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's Senate Judiciary Committee staff as special counsel on criminal law, worked on the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division's National Church Arson Task Force, and was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

Gallagher's resignation earlier this year followed reports in November 2020 that three women had filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging they were fired or ostracized for reporting misconduct to United Way's human resources department, and more than twenty former employees subsequently had sent a letter to the board saying they had experienced harassment and discrimination while employed by the organization. An investigation by a law firm hired by UWW found no evidence of "actionable harassment, discrimination, or retaliation," although none of the three original complainants was interviewed.

"United Way Worldwide is at a critical juncture as we look to transform our 135-year-old organization to continue driving strong and equitable community impact into the future," said board chair Juliette M. Tuakli. "We wanted a leader who could mobilize our United Way Network, our supporters and United Way Worldwide around a clear vision grounded in the imperative to create greater impact, equity, and growth in communities. Angela's background and experience make her uniquely suited to create and drive this vision. The CEO search committee was impressed by her strategic acumen, innovative thinking, and purpose-driven mindset, which we believe will offer a fresh perspective in reimagining United Way and ensuring that we remain relevant and impactful for years to come."

"I am absolutely honored to join the world's leading charity at a key moment in the organization's history and world events," said Williams. "Around the world, issues of health, education, and economic sustainability are at the forefront of ensuring equality and access to a good quality of life. I recognize and appreciate the tremendous role that United Way Worldwide plays in supporting individuals and families and transforming communities. I am committed to working with the board, volunteers, partners, and staff to build on the rich legacy of the organization in its second century of service."