Leadership of the United Way of Northern California Will Change Hands As Larry Olmstead Prepares to Step Down
Chief Operating Officer Kalie Brisbon has been named as Olmstead’s successor. She will take charge of the regional nonprofit in March 2025.
Larry Olmstead, the head of the North State’s regional chapter of United Way, announced yesterday that he’ll retire from his role early next year. The United Way’s Board has chosen his successor, Kalie Brisbon, who currently serves as the organization’s current Chief Operating Officer. She’ll take charge in March 2025.
In a December 13 press announcement about his departure, Olmstead expressed confidence in Brisbon saying she’s ready to take the organization’s mission “to new heights.”
“It’s been a joy and inspiration to work closely with Kalie the past six years,” Olmstead continued, calling her a “gifted executive – skilled, authentic, and compassionate.”
The United Way Foundation was established in 1887 in Denver, Colorado as an interfaith charity organization. Today there are nearly 1,800 local affiliates in approximately 40 countries and territories. It is the largest philanthropic organization in the world.
The United Way of Northern California serves nine counties (Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama & Trinity), and facilitates programs and outreach to support communities dealing with public emergencies, homelessness, financial instability, and other structural challenges.
Olmstead began his role at United Way of Northern California in 2016 after serving as an executive for the same organization in San Jose. During his eight years as CEO, the nonprofit’s Board says, the organization has grown exponentially, expanding its staff, revenue and programming five-fold.
Olmstead has facilitated provision of emergency services to more than 10,000 people affected by 14 wildfires, including some of the largest in California history. He’s also successfully expanded 211 services across the North State, and established a micro-housing shelter in downtown Redding with an 80% success rate of moving transitional residents into permanent housing.
After the murder of George Floyd, Olmstead established the North State Equity Fund which has distributed small grants to regional nonprofits, among them Shasta Scout. In collaboration with soon-to-be CEO Brisbon, who joined United Way in 2019, Olmstead also launched the Building Bridges initiative, a trust-building program intended to foster productive civil discourse amidst Shasta County’s tense political climate.
According to a press release from the United Way, Brisbon has worked for the organization for six years, starting as the 211 NorCal Program manager. She eventually rose to the position of Senior Director of Programs and was promoted to the COO position last March. She is a graduate of Simpson University with a resume that includes stints with Planned Parenthood and Girl Scout Councils.
During her time at United Way of Northern California, Brisbon has focused on developing resources for the unsheltered, expanding 211 services, promoting emergency preparedness, and shoring up public and mental health education.
“I’m honored and grateful to lead United Way of Northern California into this next chapter,” Brisbon said. “The North State is my home and I’m passionate about continuing our work to serve the North State’s most pressing needs.”
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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Dear Larry Robbins, I assure you that the micro-shelter units on So. Market St. does have a kitchen food pantry, refrigerator/freezer, dining table area, living room/ TV, laundry and shower units. Donations for new products that consumers can use are always welcome, toiletries, food, books, bedding, towels, dog food, etc. can be donated by calling the UW office on Churn Creek Rd.
Larry Olmstead deserves Citizen of the Year Award.
I’m sorry to see Larry go, but it is good to know that Kalie is going to carry on with the work he has done and expand from there. This is a wonderful organization.
The article about the micro shelter housing is from 2022 and the site has continued to expand programs and services.
In following the link about the housing shelter being established, it states that there is no kitchen facility or shared space.
How are the residents going to be fed? If there isn’t a plan for this vital part of living, learning to ration and prepare food seems like a basic skill to be instilled.
Pardon the diversion from the topic of a new leader for United Way.
I wish Kalie Brisbon success and cooperation from the communities served.
Larry: The microshelter project you’re talking about is the Good News Rescue Mission project which is separate and distinct from the United Way project.