United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC) tapped a longtime, local human services director to be its next CEO, after turnover in the executive position and the board during the past two years.
Moira Weir will become the first female CEO of the century-old affiliate when she assumes the role on March 23. She will succeed Ross Meyer, vice president of community impact, who has led the organization as interim CEO for the past year.
Weir started her career as a children’s service worker and has spent 27 years at Hamilton County Job and Family Services (JFS) in Cincinnati, the last 12 as director. She joined the leadership team in 2004 as assistant in charge of child support, workforce development and benefit recovery. She assumed responsibility for children’s services in 2005.
The announcement on Thursday noted a “highly diverse search committee comprised of leaders from the community, social service, agencies and business recommended Weir following an extensive national search.” The search included a “large pool of prospective candidates” from nonprofit, corporate and public institutions.
Greater Cincinnati historically has been among the top 10 United Way affiliates when it comes to fundraising campaigns but has seen declines in recent years. The Cincinnati affiliate reported revenue of $48.9 million, including $47.6 million in contributions and grants, in Fiscal Year 2018, the most recent tax form available filed in November. That was down from the previous year’s revenue of $61.2 million, with $59.5 million in contributions.
Weir will be the fourth permanent or interim CEO of the affiliate in less than two years. Robert Reifsnyder retired in May 2018 after 17 years leading the organization. Michael Johnson was recruited away from Boys & Girls Club of Dane County in Madison, Wisc., and started as CEO in July 2018. He was the first black CEO in the affiliate’s history but his tenure lasted 4½ months as he returned to Madison in December 2018.
In a letter to the board that eventually was made public, Johnson claimed that he had been the victim of a “hostile work environment” and “subtle threats.” After his resignation, board chair Julia Poston stepped down from the board.
Johnson received a $75,000 signing bonus and relocation expenses of $35,000, according to tax forms, as well as severance payments of $171,154 after leaving Nov. 15, 2018. As a result, total compensation in 2018 was $416,941, including base compensation of $124,270.
