Following a national search, the Board of Directors for United Way of Rhode Island has selected Cortney Nicolato to lead the organization as its next President and CEO. She joins the organization on September 24, 2018, succeeding Anthony Maione, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Nicolato, a resident of Lantana, Texas, was born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. She has held executive leadership positions in the nonprofit and business sectors for more than 17 years. Among her accomplishments, Nicolato cultivated strategic partnerships with more than 100 organizations worldwide, fundraised successfully for multiple organizations, and is sought-after as both a mentor and influencer.
Nicolato is currently President and CEO of The Senior Source, the largest social services non-profit serving older adults in North Texas. Previously, she was recruited to Dallas in 2005 to manage national and international strategic alliances for the American Heart Association’s National Center. Following a progression of leadership roles with the American Heart Association, Nicolato served Get Real Health as Vice President of Marketing and Strategy, where she led go-to-market strategy for an award-winning engagement platform for 17 million patients in six countries.
“I am so humbled by the opportunity to come home and serve the community that means so much to me,” says Nicolato in a press release on Thursday. “My career has been centered on impacting lives using innovative approaches and I am thrilled to build on the great work already happening at United Way of Rhode Island.”
KLR Executive Search Group was engaged to conduct the search for Maione’s replacement. The search committee was led by UWRI Board Member Dolph L. Johnson, Jr., EVP & Chief HR Officer for Hasbro, Inc.
“Cortney brings a deep passion to serve others and to bring innovative approaches to long-standing community challenges,” says Johnson in the news release. “ As president and CEO for The Senior Source, her focus on solving big community issues, leading through change, and reducing poverty have all prepared her well to successfully lead United Way of Rhode Island. Her work will make a measurable impact for our state.”
Maione led the organization as President and CEO since January, 2005. His retirement caps a 35-year career as a nonprofit CEO. During his leadership, United Way of Rhode Island has raised more than $170 million dollars and faced some of the most turbulent times in nonprofit history. Maione is a resident of North Kingstown; he is a graduate of Rhode Island College and URI.
“With Tony’s leadership, United Way has taken on a major role in solving important community issues,” says UWRI Board President Sandra J. Pattie, President and CEO of BankNewport in the news release. “United Way has initiated programs and policies to reduce homelessness, increase affordable housing, improve workforce training and develop high quality pre-kindergarten, afterschool and summer learning programs. The Board is grateful to Tony for his exceptional stewardship of the organization, which he leaves in a strong financial position.”
During Maione’s tenure, United Way of Rhode Island changed its grant model to a three-year competitive system, moved its home office from the East Side of Providence to Olneyville, and established the statewide 2-1-1 call center. In recent years, United Way’s 2-1-1 in Rhode Island has become a national model, the first to offer walk-in services for clients and the highest-call volume (per capita) 2-1-1 in the country – taking nearly 200,000 requests a year. United Way also led the passage of three housing bonds, and continues to focus on work that addresses problems at their roots.