Orange County United Way’s Chief Executive Maria Chavez Wilcox, one of the most high-profile nonprofit leaders here, has resigned to join her husband’s consulting business and to pursue other opportunities.
Wilcox has been with United Way since 1996.
Max Gardner, vice chairman of the Irvine-based United Way board, is taking over on a volunteer basis until a replacement is found.
Gardner is former president of Irvine Company’s apartment unit. Gardner and his wife, Artyn, are big contributors to United Way, giving $10,000 annually.
“During her tenure, Maria helped transition this United Way from a basic fundraising agency to a community impact model,” said Al DeGrassi, United Way chairman.
In a statement, Wilcox said she’s joining Long Beach-based Interim Solutions for the Non-Profit Sector, which is set to change its name to The Third Sector Co. in January.
The consultant to nonprofits is founded and run by her husband Jeff Wilcox.
“I’m looking forward to further developing this entrepreneurial venture, leading major nonprofits and foundations on an interim basis and discovering new leadership opportunities along the way as I build the next step in my professional career,” Chavez Wilcox said.
United Way, an affiliate of Alexandria, Va.-based United Way of America, is one of largest nonprofits in Orange County. It ranked No. 11 on the Business Journal’s recent list of nonprofits with $25.6 million in annual revenue.
The nonprofit’s 2009-10 campaign reflected a record increase of $7.5 million, or 43%, from the prior year.
About $16 million of United Way’s yearly donations stays in OC, funding groups such as Laguna Woods-based South County Senior Services Inc., Costa Mesa-based Share Our Selves and Irvine-based Human Options Inc.
