United way of LA gets first female volunteer chair.

Caroline W. Nahas has been appointed to be the first woman to serve as volunteer chair of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles's corporate board of directors.

"As the first woman CEO of United Way Greater Los Angeles, I can intimately relate to Caroline's journey in the workforce as well as her appointment as the first-ever female board chair," said Elise Buik, United Way of Greater Los Angeles CEO. "We have been so fortunate to have inspirational business leaders serving as our board chairs for many years, and I look forward to seeing the results of the unique vantage point that a dynamic woman like Caroline will bring to the position."

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Nahas, managing director of the Southern California region of Korn/Ferry International, will replace outgoing board chair, Jeffrey M. Johnson, principal of The Yucaipa Companies, LLC.

Nahas explained that while she could see the position as daunting when faced with an economic crisis, she chooses to think that the challenging times can "create great opportunities."

She explained that three years ago, the United Way launched a 10-year commitment focused on correcting the lack of affordable housing and healthcare, ensuring students will graduate from high school prepared for workforce or college and creating quality job training and financial education for adults.

Nahas said the commitment, called Creating Pathways Out of Poverty, helped the organization prepare for recent events, such as the mortgage meltdown and skyrocketing unemployment, instead of just reacting to the economic issues as they unfolded. "We are perfectly poised and positioned to help the community during this unprecedented time that we are all experiencing," she said.

"We have to make sure that the message is really clear and that by giving to United Way will strengthen our community, which strengthens everybody--including businesses," said Nahas.

Nahas is no stranger to the United Way. She served on the corporate board of directors for 11 years. She also chaired the Tocqueville Society, the organization's philanthropic circle of donors who contribute $10,000 or more to a member United Way annually, and its Nominating Committee.

Buik said in the current economic climate the board must navigate an increased community need for support with fewer funds from a weakened business sector.

"The important thing to note is that we are seeing our business leaders taking a stronger role in philanthropic efforts to improve the lives for all in our communities," said Buik. "Our board is tasked with not only engaging the business community to raise funds, but to help drive forward our organization's agenda, focusing on providing affordable housing and healthcare, improving educational achievement and increasing financial stability for working adults, and, as importantly, to drive individual and organizational participation in other ways."

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