Oliver Rodriguez is the new CEO of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties, coming most recently from a charter school organization in New York. Photo contributed

There’s new leadership coming to the United Way Fresno and Madera Counties.

Oliver Rodriguez will take over as president and CEO of the organization June 30 as current executive Lindsay Fox makes her exit after more than seven years in the position.

United Way Fresno and Madera Counties has grown in size, budget and focus during Fox’s tenure, shifting “from simply addressing the immediate needs of the mid-Central Valley’s most disinvested community members to playing a more active role in attempting to dismantle bigger structural and institutional issues that keep people in generational cycles of poverty,” according to a United Way news release.

 

“It has been an incredible gift to serve the Fresno and Madera County communities these past seven years,” stated Fox. “That being said, I know my strengths lie in activation and vision. It’s now time for a different type of leader to build out the internal systems necessary to implement the vision we have been building since 2016. I am beyond honored to pass this thriving organization over to a highly qualified new leader… I am confident that Oliver is the right person to lead United Way into the next chapter of supporting working families and building wealth.”

Rodriguez, a graduate of University of California, Riverside, and the University of San Diego School of Law, holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Public Administration and Juris Doctor (law) degree. He most recently served as general counsel and chief talent and equity officer for New-York based charter school management organization Coney Island Prep.

Rodriguez was born in Mexico and raised in one of the lowest-income areas of Southern California. Through his mother’s support, he attended a private high school on an academic scholarship . This journey led him to understand the importance of advocacy, education and servant leadership. Leveraging that experience, Oliver strives to eradicate barriers that exist for children and families like his and works to provide programs and resources to end generational cycles of poverty while democratizing power, according to the news release.

United Way board President Scott Fetterhoff stated: “We knew that finding the right replacement for Lindsay would be no easy task, and we are fortunate to have met Oliver and be able to bring him onboard for United Way’s next chapter.”

Another board member, Isaiah Green of Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, shares in Fetterhoff’s excitement. “This new CEO will have big shoes to fill,” he says. “But the willingness to move across country amid having a newborn child? Oliver and his family have made a commitment to this community by accepting this task, showing this is more than a job opportunity but a commitment to leading our organization into the next leg of the journey. For that, I’m impressed and excited to get to work.”

Rodriguez is scheduled to begin with United Way this month. Fox will stay on as a senior advisor to the new CEO to support the transition. He last day as CEO is June 30.