United Way of South Hampton Roads names new leader

Mark Uren will be the new president and CEO of the United Way of South Hampton Roads, the organization announced Tuesday. He starts in the role on July 17.

Michele Anderson, the regional United Way’s previous CEO, left the organization in January. Kristel Fitzgerald, chief operating officer, and Kelsey Mohring, chief marketing and strategy officer, have been leading the organization since.

Uren is currently vice president of resource development for United Way of Forsyth County, in North Carolina, and will move to Hampton Roads from Winston-Salem. He was selected from more than 500 applicants. Management consulting firm Korn Ferry assisted the United Way’s board with the search.

“I am incredibly excited to welcome Mark as our new president and CEO,” Erin Ruane, vice chair of the UWSHR board of directors and a member of the search committee, said in a statement. “He stood out in our wide candidate pool as a proven leader with the right experience, skill set and demeanor, and his commitment to United Way is beyond impressive.”

Uren’s experience includes more than 25 years in nonprofit leadership, with responsibilities over finance, operations, fundraising, IT and marketing. He has worked for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, where he worked on two capital campaigns and managed a capital expansion project and construction of the Triad Community Kitchen. He was also executive director of the Forsyth Humane Society when it reorganized and prepared for a capital campaign to fund a new facility. Most recently, at the United Way of Forsyth County, he has led the strategy and execution of all developmental activities, including raising more than $15 million annually, according to a news release from the United Way of South Hampton Roads.

“I have dedicated my life to public service, and I am excited and humbled that the selection committee has entrusted me to lead this amazing organization into the next 100 years,” Uren said in a statement. “I know every community has unique challenges, but I am confident that by working together, we can create a brighter future for our entire region.”