United Way Announces Departure of President and CEO Alana Sweeny
Board and seven-member committee launch a nationwide search for new leader
White Plains, New York—Alana Sweeny, President and CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, announced she will be leaving the United Way, saying the organization has made tremendous strides in recent years and she is excited to see it continue to flourish under new leadership.
Sweeny, 69, who has been President and CEO since 2014, said that she is looking forward to traveling and having the flexibility to spend more time with her family and thanked the UWWP board and the entire staff for its dedication to United Way’s mission. She said she will continue to be an active supporter of the United Way both on the local, state and national levels.
“This has truly been a team effort working with so many committed people from our talented staff to our dedicated board members and our generous donors. We have made a visible impact on our community, with improved literacy programs including A2i in Peekskill and Elmsford schools and our book drives to our financial literacy workshops that have helped women launch careers and become entrepreneurs. There is no doubt that we are succeeding in our mission to give people the tools to become self-sufficient,’’ said Sweeny.
June Blanc, President of the UWWP Board of Directors, said a seven-member search committee has already begun the work of finding a replacement for Sweeny. The opening has been advertised locally and nationally and broadcast to the non-profit community. Blanc said that during her tenure Sweeny has done much to transition UWWP to a more energetic organization that has engaged new partners and supporters. Blanc noted that the organization is coming off its best fundraising year ever with last week’s Gala breaking both attendance and fundraising records.
“Alana is leaving the organization having accomplished so much to help set our future course,’’ said Blanc. “It will be difficult to find another such charismatic and visionary leader, but we are in a very good place to start the next chapter.’’
United Way Westchester and Putnam headquartered in White Plains currently has total revenue of a little over $6 million, including operations of its 2-1-1 information referral line, which handles about 250 calls and 1,200 on-line inquires a day. It has a core staff of 16 full-time employees with another 12 full-time staff members working for 2-1-1. Its Board of Directors is comprised of up to 45 members and represents a broad cross-section of the community served by the organization.
Those interested in applying for the position should e-mail inquiries, qualifications and salary requirements to Lynn Clifford, Vice President of Operations, at [email protected] with the subject line; CEO Response.
About United Way of Westchester and Putnam
United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) works with government, business, non-profits and community leaders to solve complex problems. We focus on children, adults and families living on the financial edge. Our aim is to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency, so they might thrive and contribute to a stronger community. Our 2-1-1 helpline takes nearly 80,000 calls a year, providing online resources to resolve everything from basic to critical to urgent needs – heating, food, shelter, tax assistance, mortgage questions, childcare, natural disaster and crisis calls. We provide job skills training and financial education to adults. And we help more and more children and their parents to make sure children are reading on grade level by 3rd grade, a critical marker of academic success and future viability in our society.
