United Way of San Diego County CEO Nancy L. Sasaki Wednesday announced her retirement following seven years at the helm of the child-and literacy-focused nonprofit.
She will end her more than 40-year career in the nonprofit sector by stepping down from the CEO position on Dec. 31. The UWSD Board has formed a search committee and will launch a regional search for Sasaki’s successor.
“Leading United Way of San Diego County has been a full-circle experience,” Sasaki said. “I started as a health educator and now find myself influencing education and economic mobility across our region. It’s been an incredible honor to work alongside such passionate staff, board members and community partners to improve lives every day.”
Since beginning her nonprofit journey in 1981 and moving to San Diego in 1990, she has been an advocate for equitable access to education, healthcare and economic opportunity, a statement from the United Way read.
“Nancy has led with integrity, heart and vision during a time when organizations are competing for attention and resources,” said Leslie Oliver, chair of the UWSD Board of Directors. “Because of her leadership, United Way of San Diego County is well-positioned to build on its momentum and continue driving meaningful change in our community through collaboration and volunteerism.”
During her tenure at United Way, she launched education and economic mobility initiatives such as United for Literacy, STEAM-to-Careers and SparkPoint. Sasaki also helped expand the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition to 45 organizations to “provide tax support to families in need.”
