The United Way of Allegheny County has tapped a long-time advocate for children, the mentally ill and senior citizens as its new leader.
Robert Nelkin, 58, of Squirrel Hill, the director of policy initiatives at the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Child Development, will become the United Way's president and chief professional officer on June 16, officials announced at a news conference Thursday.
"I think the United Way is looking to change," Nelkin said. "It would be accurate to say, moving forward, United Way will be a more activist organization."
He replaces William J. Meyer, who is retiring after 20 years.
Nelkin has a "track record of delivering results in the area of heath and human services," said United Way board Chairman John Friel, who also is the CEO of MEDRAD Inc. "He's been a passionate champion for youth and seniors and for people with handicaps."
Nelkin said he wants to address critical local needs cited by a Pitt study. Those include unemployed youngsters who are out of school and involved in violence, families struggling to make ends meet and frail senior citizens who often live alone without help.
He is raising money for a summer youth violence-prevention program, which involves uniting youngsters from rival neighborhoods to perform community service, such as fixing overgrown lots and playgrounds.
"I would love to see that picked up by United Way," Nelkin said.
Nelkin, a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School, worked at Pitt without having a college degree of his own.
"One job just led to the next," he said. "People have recognized what I'm capable of doing."
The Heinz Endowments, the region's second-largest foundation, has worked with Nelkin on issues such as early childhood education and libraries.
"There's an opportunity for United Way to be better connected and networked throughout the community," said Heinz Endowments President Maxwell King, who praised Nelkin's selection.
At Pitt, Nelkin focused on such issues as health care, literacy, early childhood education, parenting, juvenile justice, smoking by mothers and public education.
"This looks like a win for everybody except for those of us who won't have him around every day," said Alan M. Lesgold, dean of Pitt's School of Education.
Nelkin also is executive director of the Governor's Commission for Children and Families. The commission consists of 44 people who advise the administration on ways to improve services to children and families.
Before coming to Pitt, Nelkin worked 12 years as director of human services for Allegheny County, where he managed a $400 million annual budget. One of his initiatives, Healthy Start, cut by 50 percent the black infant mortality rate in neighborhoods where the program was in place.
Earlier in his career, he worked as an advocate for the local chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens. Nelkin visited state-licensed private facilities and said he observed the inhumane treatment of mentally disabled people. Some, he said, were caged to control their behavior.
After Nelkin complained, some facilities were closed.
"He's a man of great compassion, and he has a long history of being a crusader for the rights of people, beginning way back with the mentally retarded," said William E. Trueheart, CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation.
Nelkin must deal with the United Way's inability in recent years to meet its fundraising targets. In 2005, the local United Way raised $30.1 million, $600,000 short of its goal.
King does not expect Nelkin to have a problem raising money.
"Bob is a good salesman," he said.
Nelkin and his wife, Ann, have two children, Julie and Zachary.
Additional Information:
Robert Nelkin
Age: 58Residence: Squirrel Hill
New job: President and chief operating officer of the United Way of Allegheny County, effective June 16
Current job: Director of policy initiatives at the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Childhood Development
Past experience: Director of Human Services for Allegheny County
Education: Graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School
