News

United Way names new executive director

Kat Carlton

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 23, 2024

The Board of Directors of the United Way of Henderson County has named Kat Carlton as the new executive director for the organization starting Oct. 1, the nonprofit announced.

Over the past several months, community volunteers representing the UWHC local board of directors, corporate and nonprofit leaders, and community volunteers met frequently under the direction of an executive recruiter to review the applicants for the position and complete several rounds of interviews.

"We received an impressive number of applicants in our nationwide search process and our local search committee went through a thorough process of discernment,” Search Committee Chair Kevin Todd said. “We feel confident that Kat is the right person for this role and we are eager and excited about this next chapter for United Way."

The Search Committee presented its finalist recommendation to the Board of Directors, which unanimously approved the choice on Aug. 28.

"Kat brings the perfect combination of experience, demonstrated commitment to our community, and enthusiasm to effectively lead UWHC into the future," Board Chair Trina Rushing said.

Carlton brings more than 15 years of leadership experience overseeing program, financial, and operational management within corporate and nonprofit sectors, and holds a B.A., MBA, and Graduate Certificate in Program Management. She joined United Way of Henderson County in 2019 as director of resource development and expanded her role to director of community development, a strategic leadership position created to oversee their resource development, marketing and community impact departments. This past summer she served as interim co-executive director along with Director of Finance Robin Morgan.

"It is an honor to be selected for this important community role,” Carlton said. “I look forward to working with our staff, board, donors, and community partners to expand our programs and local impact and ensure that we are strongly positioned to serve our community now and into the future. Neighbors helping neighbors, that’s what we do.”