Lesley Scearce should feel right at home with the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. After all, the organization of which she's been executive director for the past 13 years has had similar goals of improving the lives of the people it touches.
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Group unanimously recommends On Point chief as CEO of United Way of Greater Chattanooga
The Chattanooga native, now CEO of youth development organization On Point, is expected to be approved by the United Way board today to become that organization's president and chief executive officer this summer following the retirement of current president Eva Dillard.
In 2010, Scearce worked in collaboration with the United Way and other organizations on a program called Ready by 21 that was geared toward ensuring success for young people in college, work and life.
"The more [building blocks] they have, the more ability they have to succeed in school, to value diversity, to exhibit leadership skills and to exhibit good health," she said at the time. "The more they have, the more positive outcomes they have, the less likely they are to engage in violence, drug use, alcohol abuse and sexual activity -- things all of us want for our kids."
At the United Way, the Girls Preparatory School, University of Richmond (bachelor's degree) and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (master's degree) graduate will work on many of those same goals on a larger playing field.
Scearce appears to be ideal to replace Dillard, who has led the local organization for 12 years, including through the Great Recession when annual campaign goals were still met. She will leave with more than 28 years of experience at the organization.