Following an extensive local and national search, the United Way of Roanoke Valley (UWRV) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Abby Verdillo Hamilton as the organization’s new President & CEO.
Ms. Hamilton, who previously held the position of Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Roanoke Valley, has been acting in the CEO capacity since July. She has worked for UWRV for nearly 18 years, providing leadership and overall direction for the organization’s investment in the community.
“I am humbled by the continued trust and support of the Board. What an honor to continue to serve with such an incredibly talented staff team, and be of greater service to this organization in this new role,” said Hamilton. “I look forward to leading United Way of Roanoke Valley into a new decade of strengthened collaboration, expanded impact, and committed service to our donors, agency partners, and those who benefit from our work as we forge a path to elevate 10,000 families to self-sufficiency.”
Over the last few years, Hamilton’s work has had a special emphasis on collective impact efforts, specifically building and growing collaborations among multiple organizations to achieve community-wide outcomes on key issues. She has supported the development, implementation and growth of local and regional collaborative efforts addressing school readiness, family financial stability, student homelessness and community health. These efforts have engaged numerous organizations in data-driven strategies, and successfully attracted the attention and grant funding of local, state, and national entities.
“We are delighted to have Abby accept the role of UWRV’s CEO,” said Kerry Edmonds, UWRV Board Chair. “She is a proven leader with two decades of experience engaging developing and empowering high-performing teams, to identify and drive transformational social change.”
Ms. Hamilton has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University in Colorado. She has worked with non-profit organizations here and abroad for more than 20 years.
