Union Settlement Names Dr. Darlene Williams new Chief Executive Officer

Union Settlement Names Dr. Darlene Williams as its New Chief Executive Officer

East Harlem, NY –The Board of Directors of Union Settlement (www.unionsettlement.org), the oldest and largest social service provider in East Harlem, today named Dr. Darlene Williams as its new Chief Executive Officer effective June 5. Dr. Williams will succeed Derrick Boone, who has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since January 2023.

Dr. Williams has spent her career serving and uplifting underserved and underrepresented New York City communities and brings over two decades of nonprofit executive leadership experience to Union Settlement. In her most recent role as President and Chief Executive Officer at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, Dr. Williams led citywide initiatives integral to building the upward economic mobility of out-of-school, unemployed youth and immigrant adults from low-income communities. Previously, she served as the Chief Program Officer at WIN (Women in Need, Inc.), the largest provider of family homeless shelters in New York City. Dr. Williams holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, and a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Metropolitan College of New York in Human Services and Public Policy and Administration, respectively.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Williams to Union Settlement,” said Dawn Zappetti, who led the CEO search and is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Union Settlement. “I am confident she will be a fantastic leader and ambassador for the organization and has the talent and passion to drive our mission forward.”

“Union Settlement continues to empower East Harlem through vital programs that have impacted generations for almost 130 years. Our commitment to service fosters civic engagement and leadership, drives economic growth, and strengthens the fabric of our communities,” said Dr. Darlene Williams, incoming Chief Executive Officer of Union Settlement. “I am proud to join Union Settlement and excited to continue building the indispensable legacy as the voice of advocacy for the people we serve.”

About Union Settlement
Union Settlement is an on-the-ground resource for East Harlem residents of all ages, and a passionate advocate for the needs of underserved communities. Established in 1895, Union Settlement provides a broad array of education, wellness and community-building programs to over 10,000 East Harlem residents each year, including early childhood education, afterschool and summer youth programs, college preparation, job readiness, English language classes, behavioral health counseling, small business assistance, senior centers, Meals on Wheels, and more. For more information about Union Settlement, visit www.unionsettlement.org.

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