United Way Announces New CEO

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Board Chair Deborah L. DeHaas announced on January 21 that Laura Thrall has been selected as the organization’s president and chief executive officer.

“Laura brings a wonderful combination of leadership and operational experience which is critical to the continued growth of United Way as it begins its next 75 years,” said DeHaas, vice chairman & regional managing partner, Deloitte LLP. “Her vision in leading the human service sector through these economic times will be invaluable.”

As CEO of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Thrall has led its transformation, developing the concept for the “Model YWCA,” opening the first of four planned new centers, launching its first capital campaign in 40 years and creating an infrastructure for sustained legislative advocacy. Previously, Thrall was division director of Campbell & Company, a leading national consulting firm specializing in providing counsel to large nonprofits, and senior director at Los Angeles-based Starlight Children’s Foundation International.

She joins United Way on March 2.

For more information on Thrall, click here.