Elise Buik, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
In March 2005, Elise Buik made history by becoming the first female President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. An Atlanta native, Elise initially found Los Angeles compelling for its weather. But she stayed for the community and the immediate impact she could make at United Way. After seven years as Marketing Manager for a medical software company, Elise joined United Way in 1994 with a strong belief in the organization and a deep dedication to improving the quality of life in Los Angeles County. Starting in the marketing department, Elise worked her way up through the ranks with long hours and a steadfast commitment to addressing this city’s social and economic challenges. Elise has been instrumental in transforming United Way into a community impact organization that identifies social issues, convenes experts, partners with other organizations and crafts innovative solutions and policy. Under her leadership, United Way launched its strategic 10-year action plan, Creating Pathways Out of Poverty. The plan focuses on three critical issues: ending homelessness by providing housing stability, improving educational achievement, and helping families gain financial stability.
Elise’s other roles include the City of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board, a Senior Fellowship at the UCLA School of Public Affairs, a place on the advisory board for the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development Master of Public Administration program, and the boards of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Southern California Grantmakers. She was honored with the “2009 Nonprofit CEO of the Year” award from the Los Angeles Business Journal, the “Leadership Award” at Peace Over Violence’s 37th Annual Humanitarian Awards, and the “Non-profit Leadership & Responsibility Award” at the 28th annual Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs Awards Dinner.
Elise is also a wife and mother to two small boys, Hudson and Davis. Being a mother has further strengthened her resolve to build a better Los Angeles.