SAN DIEGO – United Way of San Diego County’s board of directors has selected Rabbi Laurie Coskey, Ed.D., as the new president and CEO of the 96-year-old nonprofit.
Coskey is a community leader with more than 25 years of experience building collaborative coalitions of leaders and people who work to improve the lives and futures of San Diego County residents. An ordained rabbi, Coskey served for the past 15 years as the executive director of the Interfaith Center for Worker Justice, a nonprofit, multi-ethnic, interfaith organization focused on improving the lives of low wage working families. She will continue this vital work at United Way with her deep strategic management, resource development/ fundraising and organizational leadership experience.
“We had some outstanding candidates for the position, and our search committee conducted an extensive nationwide search to find the best candidate to serve the community,” said Jacqueline Parks, chair of United Way of San Diego County’s board of directors. “Laurie wrote her doctoral dissertation on United Way, and has a firm understanding of our role in the community and strategic vision. She brings with her strong long-term relationships in the San Diego community and a reputation as a key collaborator, working across party lines. We are confident that she will be the leader we need as we unite the community, helping every child to thrive.”
Coskey will lead United Way and continue its Collective Impact efforts. The organization promotes community collaborations to ensure that all San Diego children enter school ready to succeed, read proficiently by the end of third grade, are ready for college or career, and are surrounded by stable families with the resources they need.
As president and CEO, Coskey will spearhead strategic planning and management, while working with nonprofits, business and community leaders, city and county governments, schools, and parents to ensure local children are surrounded by the tools they need to succeed in life.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with United Way’s board, staff and partners in fulfilling its transformative vision and mission,” said Coskey. “I have always followed the progress of United Way and admired its role as one of the preeminent organizations supporting the well-being of local families and children.”
Deeply committed to public education, Coskey is chairperson of the San Diego Community College District trustee advisory council. As a civic leader, she is the chairperson of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation board of directors. Coskey’s numerous honors include being named as one of the 2015 “Women Who Mean Business” by The San Diego Business Journal and recognized by the Center for American Progress as one of the 13 Progressive Faith Leaders to Watch in 2013. Completing her undergraduate studies at Stanford University, Coskey earned her doctorate in leadership studies at the University of San Diego. She was also among the pioneering women in the clergy and ordained at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.
Coskey resides in North Park and has two grown sons, Marshall and Aaron.
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Preceding provided by United Way of San Diego County