HOUSTON (May 23, 2019) – After 14 years of service as CEO of the United Way of Greater Houston (UWGH), Anna M. Babin today announced that she will step down upon the selection and arrival of the organization’s next CEO. The search for her replacement is being planned by a committee of the United Way Board of Trustees, with the goal of hiring a new CEO before the end of United Way’s fiscal year on March 31, 2020. As CEO of UWGH, Babin leads the third largest United Way organization in the nation in terms of annual campaign giving.
“I am proud of all that we have accomplished together for our community these past years,” Babin said. “Among these many accomplishments, we saw the amazing 10-year results of United Way THRIVE, the collaborative that helped more than 211,000 hard-working, low-income families achieve financial stability.”
Equally noteworthy is the success of the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, the largest helpline of its kind in the country. Under Babin’s leadership, United Way secured $8.4 million for the construction of a 2-1-1 facility and updated technology, which in 2018 alone answered 1.2 million calls. From the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina through the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, she led United Way’s coordination of massive, long-term recovery efforts. In addition, she led the UWGH merger with Montgomery County United Way to create a strong regional United Way. She also played a key role in the successful passage of a city ordinance regulating payday and auto title lenders, recognizing the need to protect low-income families from predatory lending practices that can impede financial stability.
“Anna will be leaving the United Way in a strong position, and our next CEO will be selected to build on that legacy of caring and trust,” said Jamey Rootes, chair of the United Way Board of Trustees and president of the Houston Texans.
United Way, under Babin’s leadership, recently developed a transformative strategic plan called the “Second Century Vision.” Rootes added, “Anna believes this is the right time to identify our next CEO, who will lead the United Way in this exciting new direction. Anna has always placed the interests of the United Way above all else, and by doing so, she has set the standard for leadership at the United Way of Greater Houston.”
United Way board member and former Spectra Energy Chief Administrative Officer Dorothy Ables will chair the Search Committee for the new CEO. “We appreciate Anna for giving the board a generous notice period,” said Ables. “This gives us time to conduct our search for a new CEO and to accomplish a seamless transition.”
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.