HOUSTON (Dec.13, 2018) – United Way of Greater Houston has appointed Delphia Ridley as chief development officer. With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit development, Ridley will lead the fundraising efforts and the management of donor relationships for one of the nation’s largest United Way organizations. Thanks to the generosity of over 80,000 donors, last year United Way positively impacted nearly two million people in its four-county Greater Houston region including children and youth, families and neighborhoods, seniors and people rebuilding their lives.
“Delphia has a proven track record of success at several major non-profit institutions where she shaped the development strategy and consistently exceeded campaign goals, plus, she has a deep knowledge of our community as her roots are in Houston,” said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. “We are excited to tap her expertise as we begin our second century of service to the community.”
Ridley joined United Way of Greater Houston from the Smithsonian Institution, where she served as the director of advancement within the office of education and access. During her tenure at the Smithsonian, Ridley was instrumental in securing the resources needed to establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Ridley spent 10 years with Girl Scouts USA, where she served four years in New York as senior vice president of fund development and six years in Houston as vice president of brand management/fund development. While at Girl Scouts, she developed the $1 billion campaign strategy for the organization’s 100-year anniversary.
“As a native Houstonian, I have seen the tremendous impact of United Way of Greater Houston. I’m grateful to be part of a team that has a rich history of strengthening communities and I am excited to see firsthand how United Way’s work positively improves the lives of so many,” said Ridley.
Ridley began her non-profit career at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston where she secured the first $1 million gift from an individual in the history of the hospital. Ridley also served as assistant dean of external affairs at Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University and as a career advisor to law students.
Ridley holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Huston-Tillotson University and J.D. from University of Denver. She has served on numerous non-profit boards, including the board of trustees for her undergraduate alma mater where she established an endowment in her parents’ names.
About United Way of Greater Houston
For more than 95 years, United Way of Greater Houston has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives, tackling key community social issues, and making a lasting difference. Last year, United Way of Greater Houston touched the lives of nearly 2 million of our neighbors in the Bay Area and in Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties. United Way focuses on strengthening our community by developing children and youth to their full potential, creating strong families and safe neighborhoods, sustaining senior independence and rebuilding people’s lives in times of crisis. United Way of Greater Houston is the best way to make the biggest difference in our community. For more information, please visit, http://unitedwayhouston.org ;