United Way of Central Maryland names Franklyn Baker its CEO

The United Way of Central Maryland named a Greenpeace executive as its new president and CEO on Thursday.

Franklyn Baker will take over as the nonprofit’s top executive on Nov. 28, the United Way announced. Baker has been Greenpeace USA’s principal deputy and chief operating officer and has a long background at other nonprofits, including Volunteers of America Chesapeake and the Children’s National Health System.

“Franklyn Baker is an exceptional leader whose strategic planning, operations and financial expertise, coupled with a career steeped in health and human services, will be a tremendous asset to United Way of Central Maryland’s work,” Jim Wheeler, chair of the board for the Baltimore-based branch of the United Way, said in a statement.

Baker will succeed Mark Furst, who stepped aside as the organization’s president and CEO in late October after a dozen years at its helm.

“I am thrilled to join United Way of Central Maryland and to support their incredible work,” Baker said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside their board, staff, volunteers, community partners and advocates to build upon the gains that have been made to stabilize and improve access to quality education, employment, health and housing throughout the region. Together, we will strengthen our social impact — one person, one household and one community at a time.”

The nonprofit focuses on strengthening families and communities with services for education, employment, housing and health. It operates primarily in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties.

It plans to move to a new headquarters in Baltimore’s Montgomery Park in the spring. Franklyn Baker