Cincinnati United Way CEO steps down after claims of threats

UPDATE @ 1:30 p.m.: Michael Johnson is going back to Wisconsin to reclaim the job he left to lead the United Way of Cincinnati, according to our news partner WCPO.

The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County in Madison, Wisc., announced Thursday that Johnson would be returning to the organization as its CEO effective Dec. 15, WCPO reports.

INITIAL REPORT:

After allegations of a “hostile work environment,” receiving “subtle threats” and being discriminated by the board chair of the United Way of Cincinnati, Michael Johnson will be leaving his position as the organization’s president and CEO.

Johnson and the board of directors have agreed to amicably part ways effective Nov. 15, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the organization. Johnson had been at the helm for four months.

The United Way of Greater Cincinnati area includes the Middletown area, Hamilton, Clermont and Brown counties, and portions of southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky.

On Monday, United Way officials announced that Johnson had “asked the board leadership for the ability to spend some time away from the office with his family.”

“Michael Johnson has been impactful in his short time at United Way of Greater Cincinnati, particularly in focusing on one of the key organizational objectives of his hiring—the expansion of the organization’s outreach to the communities it serves,” the release said.

United Way officials said in the release that in his first 100 days, Johnson “connected with over 10,000 people in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and established or strengthened connections to critical constituencies.”

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“Following his 100-day review, United Way did not ask Michael to resign and was surprised to learn of his allegations through his email to the Board,” the release said. “The claims of discrimination don’t represent what United Way stands for and it will stand by its actions and those of Julia Poston, a volunteer with a longstanding track record for her work with United Way and the communities it serves.”

The release said Johnson remains supportive of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and has committed to assist in the completion of the annual campaign. Johnson will also assist interim CEO Ross Meyer in transitioning.

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