After a nearly 40-year career dedicated to strengthening our community, Deborah Bayle – who has served as the President and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake for the past 15-plus years – has announced her plans to retire in the summer of 2015, UWSL officials confirmed.
“I am so proud of the work we have accomplished together and the lasting changes we have made in our community during my time with United Way of Salt Lake,” Bayle said. “I am looking forward to continuing to serve our community by staying involved and supporting the important issues I have cared about for so many years.”
One of the most innovative and influential leaders in Utah, Bayle has transformed UWSL in recent years – the organization is now focused on creating meaningful and measurable social change using a model known as Collective Impact. Bayle, who oversees United Way operations in Davis, Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties, led UWSL through the 10-year transitional period.
“Without Deborah’s influence, United Way of Salt Lake would not be the organization it is today,” said Allen Alexander, Chairman and CEO of Savage and Chairman of UWSL’s Board of Directors. “Because of her vision and hard work, our community will be a better place for years to come.”
With Bayle at the helm, United Way of Salt Lake completed its transformation from primarily a fundraising organization into an organization that facilitates collaborative community-wide change. Bayle gained national recognition for her leadership and innovations in these areas. Under her leadership, UWSL was recently recognized by United Way Worldwide with the Common Good Award for Innovation, selected from among 1,800 affiliates worldwide to receive the prestigious honor.
Bayle was also honored in 2013 as the Outstanding Nonprofit Executive at the 15th annual Utah Philanthropy Day Luncheon. She has received numerous other awards and recognitions, including the Athena Businesswoman of the Year Award from the Salt Lake Chamber, the Titan Award from the Sandy Chamber and the Outstanding Achievement Award from the YWCA.
“Deborah has ensured these lasting changes will continue to benefit the community,” Alexander said. “Her leadership has been instrumental in laying the foundation for UWSL to make this new work possible.”
Bayle has also worked to strengthen the organization by attracting high-level community leaders to serve on its board of directors, allowing UWSL to grow and enhance its public policy and social change strategies.
United Way of Salt Lake has become a trusted community voice under Bayle’s leadership. She has ensured the highest level of organizational fiscal and fiduciary accountability and transparency. The success of the organization has attracted new resources including a recent infusion of $21 million from leading community philanthropists, 8,000 new advocates, and more than 10,000 volunteers annually. These resources are directed to ensure United Way can create community-level change.
“We have come a long way in the past 16 years,” Bayle said. “There have been many people involved, who have made our success happen. Without the strength and leadership of our Board of Directors, our senior management team, our staff, our donors and our partners, none of this would have been possible.”
While Bayle has made a significant impact in her years at United Way of Salt Lake, she’s been one of Utah’s community leaders and business influencers for nearly four decades. Prior to her appointment as President and CEO of UWSL, she served three years as CEO of the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bayle first rose to prominence during a 20-year career at the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, where she began in 1976 and eventually became Chief Operating Officer. During her tenure at the Chamber, she implemented many significant programs that still exist today.
Bayle currently serves as a member of the Governor’s Education Excellence Commission, the Founding Council of Prosperity 2020, and the Utah Women and Education Initiative. She is a trustee of The Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation, and a member of the Boards of Directors of St. Mark’s Hospital and People’s Utah Bancorp. She is also very active with United Way at the national level and is a member of the National Professional Council and the High-Performing Board Initiative for United Way Worldwide.
A recognized expert on leadership, management, change management, accountability, social issues, women’s issues and the nonprofit sector, Bayle is a frequent guest lecturer at Utah’s colleges and universities and is a keynote presenter at many conferences, seminars and trainings.
Bayle has served as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Salt Lake City Branch. She is also the past chair of the Utah Nonprofits Association, Ballet West Ambassadors, Junior Achievement of Utah, Utah Women’s Forum and International Women’s Forum – Utah Chapter.
Her plans going forward are to remain very active by doing consulting work and serving on corporate and nonprofit boards.
Bayle’s retirement from United Way means a search process is underway. United Way of Salt Lake’s Board of Directorsexclusively retained the services of DHR International to lead the search for the new President and CEO. The DHR team is led by Executive Vice President and North America Non-profit Practice Group Leader Mary Lee Montague.
