Catherine Cushinberry, PhD, a highly accomplished nonprofit leader and former Chief Executive Officer for Hopelink, has been named United Way of King County’s interim CEO, the organization announced today.

United Way’s board of directors has named Cushinberry as it has begun its formal search for the permanent president and CEO to succeed Gordon McHenry, Jr., who stepped down as CEO in June after more than five years at the helm. McHenry has agreed to stay on through the end of the year with the new title of President of United Way of King County, where he will serve as an ambassador for our Bridging the Wealth Gap Campaign. Cushinberry is slated to begin her tenure as interim CEO on July 29.

Cushinberry brings more than 30 years of experience to the role, having served at national organizations, grassroots nonprofits, and in higher education. That includes leading Hopelink, a Redmond-based nonprofit organization that helps more than 64,000 low-income residents annually with programs and resources needed to exit poverty.

Prior to Hopelink, Cushinberry served as executive director of City Year, a national service program in Memphis that unites young adults from diverse backgrounds for a year of full-time community service. And she was the Director of Research for the National Office of Girls Inc., where she created and led research and evaluation initiatives for the more than 80 affiliates in the U.S. and Canada.

“I am grateful and excited for this opportunity to lead United Way of King County during this time,” said Cushinberry. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Gordon McHenry, Jr., and continue his outstanding leadership at the organization. I am committed to working with the staff and community that is united in navigating our organization through this transition and helping to set up the new President and CEO for success.”

United Way board chair Lisa Chin said Cushinberry’s leadership experience is key for United Way at this time as the 104-year-old organization seeks to select only its third CEO since 2000.

“We are excited to have such an experienced leader in Catherine join United Way of King County,” said Chin. “We are confident she is the right person to guide our organization during this transition.”

About United Way of King County

At United Way of King County, we are working side by side with communities to build an equitable future for everyone. Racial equity guides our work as we strive to ensure that everyone has access to resources, a quality education, enough to eat and a safe place to call home.