Portland, Ore. – Cindy Adams, President and CEO, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW), announced today that she is retiring this summer after a 40-year career in the business and nonprofit sectors.
“It has been a privilege to work with the UWCW staff, our Board of Directors and community leadership, and I am proud of what we accomplished in a COVID-19 environment that was uniquely challenging,” said Adams. “I am confident that UWCW will continue to seek opportunities to invest in, lead and support collaborative work to create greater equity so that everyone in our community can thrive.”
“The pandemic created a space for me to reflect on where I am in my life and what's important to me and my family. My decision to retire from UWCW was difficult, as those who have gone before me well know. That said, I look forward to spending more time with family and friends and enjoying the experience of other cultures that comes from traveling,” Adams added.
Adams will depart on a high note with many accomplishments at UWCW. During her tenure, the United Way team:
- Enhanced United Way’s presence in the business community by elevating conversations with key donors and community leaders and working with community partners to understand where the greatest need is and potential gaps for investment and collaboration.
- Diversified talent in the organization by building the leadership team and the Board of Directors with individuals who have lived and learned experience as well as diverse demographics
- Created a three-year strategic plan that will identify key focus areas to inform the organization’s future investments and impact
- Grew revenue year over year to increase impact
- Received a $20 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the largest unrestricted gift in UWCW’s 100-year-old history, which allowed the organization to make its largest gift of $1.2 million to Bybee Lakes Hope Center to finish the transformation of that facility to serve 4,700 persons each year
- Shifted UWCW’s culture to include increased focus on data and impact accountability to stakeholders, community leaders, funded partners, donors and the individuals and families being served
- Elevated the issue of the region’s lack of affordable housing options with an intentional focus on housing stability, guided by Adams’ experience at Aloha United Way in Hawaii
- Raised more than $1.5 million for wildfire and COVID-19 disaster response through the generosity of donors and foundations, to meet immediate needs in communities of color