United Way loses Cincinnati leaders
Group that serves the Middletown area facing big fundraising shortfall.
A week of controversy has culminated in the resignations of two leaders at the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, which serves the Middletown area, among other communities.
Friday’s resignation of Julia Poston as chairwoman of the United Way’s board of directors followed Wednesday’s announcement that president and CEO Michael Johnson and the board “agreed to amicably part ways.”
Johnson’s tenure, which began July 9, will end Nov. 15 amid concerns about an anticipated multi-million-dollar fundraising shortfall that could hamstring crucial elements of the agency’s social programs, our news partner WCPO reported.
In addition to the Middletown area, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati serves Hamilton, Clermont and Brown counties, southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky.
According to WCPO, Johnson sent an email to the board on Oct. 26 alleging he had been misled during his interview concerning financial challenges facing the organization, which is preparing to make up to 20 percent in funding cuts to the agencies it funds and to lay off more than a dozen people.
He also alleged being micromanaged and receiving subtle threats from Poston.
On Thursday, about 30 United Way employees sent a letter to WCPO saying they would “welcome” the executive committee members to resign and demanded Poston’s removal as board chair.
The employees said they did not support the actions of Poston and the executive committee. They also said there was much work to do to address issues that led to this situation and structural changes needed to be made within the organization.
Poston attended a staff meeting Thursday, where several United Way employees asked for her to step down, according to WCPO. One employee asked her to leave the room, which she did, according to WCPO.
At the end of Friday’s board meeting, Poston announced she was resigning from the board of directors and as chair, according to the United Way officials.
“In the last week, we found ourselves at this difficult crossroad,” Poston said in her resignation letter. “I always wanted Michael ( Johnson) and the United Way to succeed together and worked hard to make that happen, but in recent days, it became clear that it would be best for the United Way and for Michael to part ways.”
She said the past few days had been emotionally challenging for all in the Cincinnati community. Poston said the most important question is how the organization moves forward to restore trust, unite and redouble the commitment to the United Way’s essential mission, according to the letter.
Her letter said, “Upon deep reflection, and with my unrelenting dedication to that mission, I’ve concluded that my stepping down from the Board would pave the way for focusing the dialogue on uniting and recommitting to our community and moving forward. As dedicated as I am to my service as UWGC Board Chair, it is clear to me that we can’t be distracted by this unproductive debate that feels singularly focused on my role. No matter the “fairness” of the debate; we must focus on moving forward constructively.”
At Friday’s meeting, the Board named Ross Meyer as its interim CEO. It also announced Tim Elsbrock will be the chair-elect of the board.
Poston had served on United Way’s board since 2008 and was elected as chair in 2017.
Prior to accepting the position with United Way, Johnson had been president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin. That organization announced Thursday that Johnson would be returning to his former job starting Dec. 15.
This article contains additional reporting by Journal-News media partner WCPO. Contact this reporter at 513-7555067 or email Ed.Richter@coxinc.com.