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 united way of massachusetts bay and merrimack valley

Michael K. Durkin

President and Chief Executive Officer
United Way of Massachusetts Bay And Merrimack Valley

families

As Incoming President and CEO, Michael K. Durkin will provide the leadership and strategic direction that drives United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley toward achieving its vision, mission, long-term goals for the community. He will work closely with the Board of Directors, United Way staff and the community to advance the organization’s work to make this region the best place for children and families in the country.

Michael comes to United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley from Mile High United Way in Denver, Colorado where he coordinated the collective strength of more than 50,000 individual donors, 800 local businesses, 100 non-profit partners, United Way Board of Trustees and its staff to deliver long-term solutions for individuals and families in metro Denver. He created the vision and five-year $250 million plan that transformed Mile High United Way into an organization focused on generating a deeper impact through three core areas: school readiness, youth success and financial stability for working families.

Focused on systemic change, Michael forged partnerships with the City and County of Denver, Denver Public Schools, the State of Colorado and key national and local foundations, enabling Mile High United Way to leverage its resources more effectively and make a greater impact improving school readiness, quality afterschool programming, homelessness reduction, child care subsidies for working families, and family asset building. He also oversaw the creation and direction of The Healing Fund a response to the Columbine High School tragedy which raised $4.6 million for Columbine victims and their families and supported community programs aimed at reducing violence.

Michael has more than 30 years of United Way experience. Prior to joining Mile High United Way, he served as COO and Executive Vice President for United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. His United Way experience also includes senior management positions in the following communities: Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Boulder, Colorado; and Columbia, South Carolina. Sparking a long career of serving the community, Michael entered the United Way system as a Kellogg Fellow and an intern for United Way of America in Alexandria, Virginia.

He currently serves as Chair of United Way of America’s National Professional Council, Chair of the United Way’s National Taskforce on Financial Stability for Families, and Chair of the Committee on Measuring Community Impact. He graduated, cum laude, from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1977. Michael and his wife, Ann Bersani, have three children.


PROFESSIONAL AND BOARD AFFILIATIONS
  • United Way of America – Professional Council
  • United Way of America – National Taskforce on Financial Stability for Families
  • United Way of America – Committee on Measuring Community Impact
  • United Way of America – National Minority Inclusiveness Conference
  • United Way of America – Board of Governors
    Branding Committee
  • Denver Public Schools Foundation
  • Escuela Guadalupe
  • Jewish Catholic Dialogue
professional highlights
As a president and Chief Executive Officer of Mile High United Way in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Durkin has:
Coordinated the collective strength of more than 50,000 individual donors, 800 local businesses, 100 non-profit partners, United Way Board of Trustees and its staff to deliver long-term solutions for individuals and families in metro Denver.
Created the vision and five-year $250 million plan that transformed Mile High United Way into an organization focused on generating a deeper impact through three core areas: school readiness, youth success and financial stability for working families.
Forged partnerships with the City and County of Denver, Denver Public Schools, the State of Colorado and key national and local foundations, enabling Mile High United Way to leverage its resources more effectively and make a greater impact improving school readiness, quality afterschool programming, homelessness reduction, child care subsidies for working families, and family asset building.
family and personal priorities
Mr. Durkin has family ties to the region. His wife, Ann Bersani grew up in Melrose, and he earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Boston College in political science. His daughter, now attending Boston College, is carrying on the “Eagle” tradition. Durkin also has a professional history in the region. His previous career includes United Way positions in Lawrence, Massachusetts and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But the roots of his commitment to the community came from his volunteer experiences while a college student at Boston College at organizations such as the Margaret Fuller House in Cambridge and the Haley House in Boston’s South End.