October 24, 2007

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley Announces Michael K. Durkin As New President and CEO

BOSTON – In 2004, during a particularly cold Denver winter when there were not enough shelter beds for the city’s homeless, Mile High United Way chief Michael K. Durkin arranged to have the United Way building itself become a shelter. The move was hailed as a gutsy, creative solution to a chronic issue, and not only provided shelter to 60-80 homeless men, but also showed the community that United Way was there to help. That year, Durkin joined forces with the mayor of Denver to launch a ten-year plan to end homelessness, creating a partnership to raise awareness and resources to help tackle this systemic issue.

Described by his colleagues as someone who is as comfortable in a homeless shelter as in a corporate boardroom, Durkin has signed on to lead United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMB/MV), effective January 1, 2008. The Board of Directors of UWMB/MV today announced the selection of Michael K. Durkin as the new president and chief executive officer of the organization. Durkin will come to the Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley region with a mix of local roots and a proven track record in leveraging positive change in the community.

“Michael Durkin’s leadership in Denver shows a deep understanding of the issues we are tackling in our region,” said Cathy E. Minehan, immediate past president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and chair of the UWMB/MV search committee. “United Way’s strength lies in its power to bring people together to be a positive force for change. He brings the strategic ability to unite the business, nonprofit and government sectors to work toward ambitious community goals. He has shown in his work that he will roll up his sleeves, bring people and organizations to the table, and leverage United Way’s resources to make this the best region in the country for children.”

With family ties to Boston (his wife, Ann Bersani, is from Melrose), a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a daughter now attending his alma mater, Durkin has personal connections and a sense of history in the region. His previous career includes United Way positions in Lawrence, Massachusetts and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But the roots of his commitment to the community came from his volunteer experiences while a college student at Boston College at organizations such as the Margaret Fuller House in Cambridge and the Haley House in Boston’s South End.

In coming to the Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley region, Durkin will be joining a United Way that has evolved over the past five years from an organization that simply raises and distributes funds to one that is targeting its investments to achieve specific community goals, such as improving school readiness, ending family homelessness, helping families achieve financial stability and ensuring that all youth graduate with positive options for the future. The new approach focuses on creating long-term, systemic improvements through innovative partnerships, strategic investments and measurable results.

“I’m not taking a job, I’m continuing to fulfill an intense passion that I have about helping people,” said Michael K. Durkin. “United Way is a critical piece for how the community as a whole can be successful. I look forward to working with the volunteer leadership of the organization, the staff and partners in the community to build on the great impact that United Way has on the children and families in the Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley regions.”

Under his leadership in Denver, the Mile High United Way created a $40 million statewide partnership to improve school readiness, a community Healing Fund for the victims and families of the Columbine High School shooting tragedy and an innovative program helping families transition from temporary housing into home-ownership. Mile High United Way also forged a partnership with the Denver Public Schools Foundation to enhance after-school programming and formed a coalition of Denver-area foundations to rally $1 million in support for more than 1,200 evacuees of Hurricane Katrina that were sent to Colorado.

In his role as CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver, Michael B. Hancock worked closely with Michael Durkin. “We have been professional colleagues and friends since 1995,” said Hancock, who is now president of the Denver City Council. “There is not a person in Denver I respect more. He is enormously concerned about the community.”

Durkin is also a prominent figure in the national United Way network, co-chairing the development of a national

Financial Stability Partnership, which aims to help individuals and families build assets—such as a home, post-secondary education, or retirement savings—become more financially stable and achieve long-term economic independence. Durkin also leads a task force focused on measuring United Way’s impact on the community and was the chief operating officer and executive vice president at United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

“Mike has been a friend of mine for over 30 years. I have come to know him as a thoughtful and engaged man, with a true commitment to the people and communities around him,” said David Manzo, president of the Cotting School in Lexington. “Both as a father and a community leader, he brings a tremendous level of personal values and dedication.”

The six-month national search was conducted by an 18-member UWMB/MV Board appointed search committee, Mr. Durkin was unanimously voted as the organization’s new leader at a Board meeting this morning.

“In our search for a new president and CEO, we were looking for someone who could unite the community and drive substantial progress for our region’s children and families.” said Robert Mahoney, chairman of the Board of Directors at UWMB/MV. ”It was clear from our first meeting with Michael Durkin that he brought the expertise, conviction and strategic vision to lead our movement and build a better quality of life for the people of our community.”

About United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

A non-profit charitable organization, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley through more than 200 health and human service agencies helps serve the needs or more than 2 million people in 87 cities and towns. United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is a nonprofit charitable organization that brings together people from business, government, education, healthcare, faith groups and the community. They work to improve the quality of life for our region’s children and families by uniting effective partners, wise investments, and committed volunteers to strategically tackle the most critical issues and create measurable differences in our neighborhoods.

About Michael K. Durkin

Michael Durkin comes to United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley from Mile High United Way in Denver, Colorado where he coordinated the collective strength of more than 50,000 individual donors, 800 local businesses, 100 non-profit partners, United Way Board of Trustees and its staff to deliver long-term solutions for individuals and families in metro Denver.  He created the vision and five-year $250 million plan that transformed Mile High United Way into an organization focused on generating a deeper impact through three core areas: school readiness, youth success and financial stability for working families. Michael has more than 30 years of United Way experience.  Prior to joining Mile High United Way, Michael served as Executive Vice President for United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.  His United Way experience also includes senior management positions in the following communities:  Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Boulder, Colorado; and Columbia, South Carolina.