United Way of the Wine Country Announces New President & CEO

United Way of the Wine Country announces the hiring of new president and CEO Lisa G. Carreño. Carreño joins United Way from 10,000 Degrees where she served as Regional Director in Sonoma County. With more than twenty years of community and nonprofit leadership experience, Carreño brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to United Way, where she is set to begin her new role on August 20. In its 50th anniversary year, Carreño becomes the first woman and first Latino to lead the organization and steer its path in the community for the future.

“At the most critical time in our region’s history, United Way of the Wine Country is poised to play a central role, from Sonoma County to the Oregon border, in changing the fortunes of children and families by providing access to the tools that help children learn, the means for families to thrive, and the well-being to sustain their lives,” Carreño explained.

Carreño comes to United Way following a professional career path as a social justice advocate and nonprofit executive. For the past six years, she led 10,000 Degrees where she helped to position the nonprofit as the leading college success organization in Sonoma County and has laid a strong foundation for future growth and deeper impact in the community. Prior to her time at 10,000 Degrees, Carreño directed YWCA Sonoma County for more than twelve years.

“On behalf of the entire board, we are thrilled Lisa is joining us as the new CEO of United Way of the Wine Country,” said Karissa Kruse, United Way 2018/2019 Board Chair and President of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.

Regarding her selection to lead United Way, Carreño says, “I feel privileged, humbled and excited by this opportunity, and I am committed to this fully expressed vision. I look forward to collaborating with our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, campaign and strategic partners to serve our diverse communities, bring this vision to life, and sustain it.”

Kruse further states about Carreño, “Her track record as a proven leader in Sonoma County, her capability to deliver strategic thinking and financial acumen, her natural ability to develop authentic relationships with community investors and her passion for the impact of the United Way makes her the perfect person to take the United Way to the next level. We wholeheartedly welcome her and look forward to the future of the organization.”

Carreño’s community involvements are closely related to her work and passion for social justice and community building. She is the only Latina to chair the Sonoma County Fair board of directors in its 82-year history and was the first member of the community appointed to serve on the Editorial Board for the Press Democrat. Carreño currently chairs the board of directors for Forget Me Not Farm Children's Services and serves on the boards for Los Cien Sonoma County, Community Foundation Sonoma County and Rebuild North Bay Foundation. She also serves on the Sonoma County LGBTQI Giving Circle Steering Committee, Sonoma County Secure Families Steering Committee, Community Benefit Committee for St. Joseph Health Sonoma, Cradle to Career Operations Team, Community Health Initiative for the Petaluma Area (CHIPA), and Congressman Mike Thompson’s Immigration Advisory Group.

The Board search committee began its search for a new CEO in May 2018 and received more than 50 applications from local and regional candidates as well as United Way network applicants from around the nation. Carreño was chosen after thorough review of applicants and interviews with the search committee. For more information about United Way, please visit unitedwaywinecountry.org.