Dedicated community leader brings vision, collaboration, and deep local roots to the organization's future.
United Way Quad Cities today announced the appointment of Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Hilton-Morrow will begin serving in the role on September 14, succeeding Rene Gellerman, who has led the organization since 2018.
Hilton-Morrow comes to United Way from Augustana College, where she formerly served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and currently teaches Communication Studies and Journalism. She advanced strategic initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, and supported innovative educational programs, including the college’s nationally recognized prison education program. A Certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, she has built her career around developing people, strengthening organizations, and helping communities thrive.
Her appointment comes at an important moment for both United Way and the Quad Cities. In recent years, United Way has expanded its role beyond funding programs to helping align community partners, strategic investments, and shared goals that improve education, strengthen financial security, and advance health across the region.
Today, United Way works alongside schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, healthcare providers, and public agencies to address the conditions that shape opportunity for children and families. Through initiatives such as United for Schools, strategic community investments, public policy leadership, and cross-sector collaboration, the organization is helping drive meaningful results on the issues that matter most to the Quad Cities.
United Way Quad Cities today announced the appointment of Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Hilton-Morrow will begin serving in the role on September 14, succeeding Rene Gellerman, who has led the organization since 2018.
Hilton-Morrow comes to United Way from Augustana College, where she formerly served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and currently teaches Communication Studies and Journalism. She advanced strategic initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, and supported innovative educational programs, including the college’s nationally recognized prison education program. A Certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, she has built her career around developing people, strengthening organizations, and helping communities thrive.
Her appointment comes at an important moment for both United Way and the Quad Cities. In recent years, United Way has expanded its role beyond funding programs to helping align community partners, strategic investments, and shared goals that improve education, strengthen financial security, and advance health across the region.
Today, United Way works alongside schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, healthcare providers, and public agencies to address the conditions that shape opportunity for children and families. Through initiatives such as United for Schools, strategic community investments, public policy leadership, and cross-sector collaboration, the organization is helping drive meaningful results on the issues that matter most to the Quad Cities.
Following a national search, the Board of Directors selected Hilton-Morrow to lead United Way through its next chapter of growth and community impact. The Board was seeking a leader who could build on the organization’s strong foundation while helping drive the innovation, collaboration, and long-term thinking needed to address the region’s most pressing challenges.
“Wendy understands that meaningful community change requires both vision and execution,” said Board Chair Bob Waterman. “She has spent her career helping people and organizations reach their potential, and she brings the strategic leadership, curiosity, and collaborative spirit our Board was seeking. We weren’t looking for someone simply to maintain what exists. We were looking for someone prepared to lead what comes next. We believe Wendy is that leader.”
“I have lived in the Quad Cities my entire life,” Hilton-Morrow said. “And, I have seen what is possible when this community pulls together. United Way’s work in education, financial security, and health matters because these are hard problems without simple answers, and I see my role as helping more people understand and join in the work already changing what’s possible for families here. ‘United’ is not just part of the name to me. I believe it’s the way we improve people’s lives.”
Gellerman will continue serving through August 31 to support a thoughtful leadership transition.
“No organization succeeds because of one leader, and no community changes because of one organization,” Gellerman said. “Real progress happens when people commit to something bigger than themselves and stay focused on the outcomes that matter most. United Way is well positioned for its future, and Wendy is the right leader to help write it. I couldn’t be more excited for her, for the organization, and for the future of our community.”
During Gellerman’s tenure, United Way strengthened its focus on community-level outcomes by aligning investments, partnerships, and data around shared goals. The organization is well positioned to continue building on that foundation as it works with businesses, school districts, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, and public-sector leaders to create lasting opportunities for people across the Quad Cities.