United Way of Greater Houston Announces Angel Harris as New Chief Advancement Officer

HOUSTON (Dec. 17, 2020) – United Way of Greater Houston has selected Angel Harris as its new vice president and chief advancement officer, concluding a nationwide search. With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership and development experience, Harris will lead fundraising, branding and communications for one of the largest nonprofits in the Greater Houston area and one of the nation’s largest United Way organizations. Bringing senior leadership and development experience from her prior position at a United Way affiliate, Harris joins United Way of Greater Houston at a pivotal time as the organization addresses unprecedented needs in the community and builds upon 100 years of service with its new Second Century Vision.

“We are excited to welcome Angel Harris to our United Way executive team and look forward to calling upon her caring leadership, strong fundraising track record and innovative thinking at this important time for our community and our organization,” said Amanda McMillian, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. “Throughout Angel’s career she has demonstrated her passion for creating greater impact through partnership and collaboration, which is at the heart of United Way’s success today and integral to our future.”

Harris most recently served as executive director of Dress for Success in Columbus, Ohio, where her leadership and fundraising skills resulted in a 26% increase in the organization’s revenue during her first 15 months. During her tenure, she also launched three new career-readying programs for women in need, with two of them successfully introduced during the pandemic. Her achievements earned her the title of CEO of the Year for the Small Nonprofit Business Category from Columbus Business First, the Columbus, Ohio business journal. Prior to that, Harris had a 17-year tenure serving in key development roles with United Way of Central Ohio, rising to the position of senior vice president and chief development officer. In that position she led a team of more than 40 employees and executed a successful $50 million annual fundraising campaign that included workplaces, affinity groups, corporations and foundations.

“I am eager to join United Way of Greater Houston, a powerhouse in the greater Houston community that is uniquely positioned to lead a bold Second Century Vision,” said Harris. “Together, we have an opportunity to remove barriers and create generational change for all Houstonians.”
Harris holds a doctorate degree and a master’s in business administration, and a bachelor’s degree and an associate degree in science, all earned from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.

Harris joins United Way of Greater Houston as it prepares to celebrate its 100-year anniversary of service in 2022. Guided by research and data, United Way’s Second Century Vision will focus on and invest in high-quality programs that serve ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and those living below the Federal Poverty Level, which together makes up 47% of the population in the Greater Houston Area as of 2018, an increase from 40% in 2016. This population has likely increased further as a result of job losses and financial setbacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of Second Century Vision is to help struggling families in the Greater Houston area achieve financial stability and create a pathway to a better future through services such as job training and certification, job placement, financial coaching, child care, mental health services and other support services.

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United Way of Greater Houston
50 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77007

Cherri Carbonara
Carbonara Group
713-524-8170
713-819-1320
cherri@carbonaragroup.com

About United Way of Greater Houston

For nearly 100 years, United Way of Greater Houston has brought together diverse partners and approaches to address the complex challenges holding people back. We are a driving force for good that connects our neighbors with opportunities to thrive. We help our neighbors achieve financial stability. We provide services that support the physical and behavioral health of families and youth along with educational services that expand their skills and horizons. We provide a safety net that catches the most vulnerable. We manage every donation with care to make the greatest impact across the four-county region of Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties. We connect neighbors with help 24/7 through our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE. For more information, please visit, www.unitedwayhouston.org.

This release was published on openPR.