Rosie Allen-Herring has been tapped as interim president and CEO of Alexandria-based United Way Worldwide, after several years leading the nonprofit’s National Capital Area branch.
Allen-Herring, who has directed United Way NCA since 2013, will succeed former UWW President and CEO Angela Williams next Monday, Feb. 2. Williams announced her retirement in December after four years leading the nonprofit, which is headquartered in Old Town at 701 N. Fairfax Street.
In assuming the position, Allen-Herring will step down from her role on the board of trustees as UWW searches for a permanent CEO, United Way announced in a press release yesterday (Monday).
“I am deeply humbled to step into this role,” Allen-Herring said in the release. “Having served across the network, I know that our greatest strength lies in the trust between our global organization and hundreds of local United Ways. I will lead by listening first, with transparency, patience and humility, while prioritizing support for our local United Ways, including smaller and international members to further the mission of this organization.”
She added, “Together, we will define our success by our impact as we evolve this historic institution to meet the challenges of today and the future.”
At United Way, Allen-Herring has led “transformative initiatives … to reduce health, education and economic disparities.” Last week, she oversaw a school supply donation event in Old Town where volunteers filled 2,300 backpacks with donated goods for local schools.
The new interim CEO said providing “complete transparency” to donors about the impacts of their donations will be a priority.
“Rosie embodies the mission of United Way Worldwide,” Yuri Fulmer, Chair of UWW Board Trustees, said in the release. “Our organization stands at a pivotal moment of transition and Rosie’s experience, coupled with her strategic vision, make her ideally suited to guide this organization through this period.”
Allen-Herring has more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic leadership, partnerships, philanthropy and business strategy.
She previously worked as an executive at Fannie Mae, where she managed multibillion-dollar portfolios and developed strategies “resulting in investments exceeding $2 billion,” according to United Way.
She currently serves on boards and in leadership roles with several other organizations, including MedStar Health, WesBanco, Pepco Holdings and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and is a member of the International Women’s Forum in D.C.
Allen-Herring has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Howard University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Strayer University, in addition to being an international fellow of the United States-Southern Africa Center for Leadership and Public Values, a partnership between the University of Cape Town and Duke University.
Consulting firm Korn Ferry is assisting UWW with the search for a permanent CEO.
