February 19, 2021 | Read Time: 1 minute
Neeraj Mehta, chairman of the board of United Way USA, has been named interim CEO of United Way Worldwide, stepping in for the organization’s embattled leader, Brian Gallagher.
Earlier this month Gallagher announced he would resign effective March 1. That announcement followed an investigation by an outside law firm, which found that the organization should improve its workplace culture, morale, and procedures regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Mehta has been a member of the United Way Worldwide board since 2016, and last year he became chairman of the board of United Way USA.
United Way Worldwide is searching for a permanent replacement for Gallagher.
The news release announcing Mehta’s move to interim CEO made no mention of the controversy surrounding Gallagher’s final months and years at the helm of the organization or the allegations of a toxic work environment raised by former female employees. Instead, the announcement focused on Mehta’s appointment at a time of “unprecedented economic, health, and social crises” in communities.
“The hurdles we are facing are daunting but not insurmountable, but challenging times also present great opportunities,” Mehta said in the news release.
Previously, Mehta was CEO of Payment Solutions and chief commercial officer of Synchrony. He also worked at GE Capital.
