CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC, a nationally ranked executive search firm specializing in nonprofit and social impact organizations, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Stephanie Nathan as President + CEO of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties (UWFM). Nathan was selected following an extensive national search led by Cooper Coleman Vice President of Executive Search, Paul Towne.
Nathan most recently served as Assistant Director for Madra Country Public Health since 2018, where she led non-clinical programs, including Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); health education; and quality improvement. Under her leadership, the department advanced strategic planning efforts, improved community health outcomes, and launched equity-focused initiatives to address local health disparities. Nathan's work in guiding the department toward accreditation highlights her commitment to building sustainable and impactful health solutions for underserved communities.
Paul Towne expressed his enthusiasm for Nathan’s placement, stating, “Out of a national pool of exceptional candidates, Stephanie stood out for her extensive understanding of the deeply nuanced issues facing communities in California’s Central Valley, and her demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of those who have been chronically underserved. Moreover, her dynamic and compassionate leadership style inspired everyone she met through the interview process. I can’t wait to see the impact this United Way will make under her leadership.”
Reflecting on the search process and the appointment, Isaiah Green, Chair of the CEO Search Committee, shared, “Paul’s dedication and understanding of our community were crucial in finding the right leader for United Way Fresno and Madera Counties. The candidate he brought forward was hands down the best we’ve seen in recent years, and we are beyond satisfied with our new CEO.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Nathan is deeply engaged in community service. She serves as President of the Madera NAACP, is a City of Madera Community Development Block Grant Commissioner, and has been an adjunct lecturer at the University of California, Merced, where she teaches in the undergraduate public health program. In recognition of her dedication to the Madera community, she was honored with the “4 Around 40” award from the Madera Chamber of Commerce in 2022.
Kirk Haynes, Board Chairman of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties, shared, “We have made an excellent choice by identifying a dynamic leader who exemplifies the values and future of the United Way and a leader who effectively builds internal systems while sharing our commitment to dismantling barriers to prosperity. This was truly a perfect match.”
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About Cooper Coleman LLC
Cooper Coleman LLC is a full-service retained executive search and consulting firm partnering exclusively with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions to drive meaningful growth. Its team moves organizations forward by placing the right leaders in the right roles at the right time and helps to strengthen their management and fundraising capacity to amplify their mission and impact.
Cooper Coleman partners with clients spanning the social sector, including those focused on civil rights, global health, performing arts and culture, social services, and LGBTQ+ issues, among others.
Founder and CEO Johnny Cooper has more than 17 years of leadership experience throughout the social sector. He established Cooper Coleman to solve a gap in service delivery to the sector, specifically how search firms represent nonprofit clients and the attention paid to the candidate experience throughout a search—chosen or not. Knowing the transformational impact that having the right leaders in the right roles can have on an organization and its mission, Cooper partnered with retained search veteran William B. Coleman, Jr. to establish Cooper Coleman as a firm that prioritizes making the essential services of executive search accessible to organizations across the social sector. William Coleman has more than 25 years of experience in retained executive search, including leading his own firm, Coleman Search Consulting LLC, for more than ten years until its sale in 2018.
For more information on Cooper Coleman LLC, visit their website at www.coopercoleman.com and find them on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coopercoleman.
About United Way Fresno and Madera Counties
United Way Fresno and Madera Counties dismantles systemic barriers to prosperity through the creation and implementation of collaborative community solutions. Since its establishment in 1924, the organization has been a steadfast advocate for community-driven development in California’s Central Valley. For more information, visit www.uwfm.org.