Longtime United Way Worldwide CEO Brian Gallagher is stepping down March 1 following an announcement last week that an investigation conducted by an outside law firm found that the organization should improve its workplace culture, morale, and procedures regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Despite those findings, Gallagher issued a defiant statement about his departure, saying “There is no evidence of a toxic or hostile culture. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely, just like almost any other workplace.” He also indicated that he has been planning his departure for years.
Three female former employees filed complaints over the past two years with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging misconduct at the organization and retaliation when they filed complaints.
In response to the allegations, United Way Worldwide trustees hired the Proskauer Rose law firm to investigate. United Way Worldwide announced last week that the firm found no “actionable harassment, discrimination, or retaliation,” but the charity acknowledged “the need to address the broader organizational and reputation issues.” United Way also said it would create a new “culture task force” to take on that assignment.
In his statement, Gallagher said he was “proud of my life-long commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
He added, “Our commitment is real and our work is effective. This entire episode will not diminish United Way Worldwide’s commitment to the right of every woman, or any person, to come forward with any concern they might have, and to be heard and protected in that process.”
Lisa Bowman, former executive vice president and chief marketing officer at United Way Worldwide, and one of the three women who filed an EEOC complaint, issued a statement saying she was pleased Gallagher was leaving but added that it was “only the first step toward creating a safe, equitable workplace where women are treated with respect and allowed to reach their full potential.”
Ana Avendaño, former vice president for labor engagement at United Way Worldwide and another one of the women who filed an EEOC complaint, also praised Gallagher’s departure, saying he was “the first of many people” who should be held accountable for a hostile work environment at the organization. Avendaño said she and other women who worked at United Way Worldwide “were forced to face the indignities of having to operate within a system that valued toxic, abusive men more than it valued them.”
‘Grateful’ for His Leadership
A statement released by Juliette Tuakli, chairwoman of the board of United Way Worldwide, announcing Gallagher’s abrupt departure made no mention of the investigation or the harassment allegations multiple women made about senior leaders at United Way that sparked it.
“We are grateful for Brian’s four decades of leadership and service in the name of the United Way mission,” Tuakli said in the statement. “Brian has always said that a great United Way leader is one who puts community interests first, their organization next, and their own interests last. Brian embodied that standard.”
She added, “We sincerely thank Brian for making United Way and our mission his life’s work.”
Tuakli said an interim CEO will be named to lead the organization during the search for a new leader.
Gallagher worked for two decades at United Ways around the country, including the United Way of Central Ohio, in Columbus, before he was appointed chief executive of the United Way of America in 2002. In 2009, he was named CEO of United Way Worldwide.
In his statement, Gallagher said he had been working with the board for two years on a succession plan and that a transition was planned “sometime later in 2021 at the conclusion of a CEO search process. But I and the board think it’s best for United Way if I step down as CEO sooner.”
Tina Tchen, CEO of Time’s Up, issued a statement praising the former employees of United Way Worldwide for stepping forward. “It is our sincere hope that this change in leadership is accompanied by a profound change in the way that the organization treats its employees,” Tchen said in the statement.
