Symeria Hudson: President leading United Way Miami toward 100th birthday
Written by Abraham Galvan on September 12, 2023
A year after becoming the first Black female CEO and president of the United Way Miami, Symeria Hudson’s work is nowhere near done and is set to lead the organization into its centennial in 2024.
For nearly 100 years, United Way Miami has worked to tackle complex issues in a community that now is struggling with the rising cost of living, high inflation and a lack of trained people.
With the results from United Way’s yearly ALICE report and Ms. Hudson’s 100 days of touring and year of diving into the real needs of the community, new initiatives like UpSkill Miami have been created to change the game in the nonprofit community.
“It is our obligation to help, and that is why we created UpSkill Miami,” she said. “This fund will allow residents to expand their skills and land jobs in industry-leading fields, creating a path to a more prosperous future for generations to come.”
With close to 30 years of diversified experience, Ms. Hudson is a seasoned executive who brings both US and global professional experience to United Way Miami. Previously, she was president and CEO of Chapman Partnership, a nonprofit that provides comprehensive services to empower the homeless into self-sufficiency.
Before moving to Miami, Ms. Hudson was based in London as president of global franchises and head of research and development for ConvaTec, a $1.8 billion medical technology company.
She spent 15 years driving new product innovation, product portfolio management and strategy for corporations in the US and Europe such as Baxter International and Hospira. She is a board member of MTF Biologics and UFP Technologies, and an operating advisor for Revival Healthcare Partners.
Throughout her first year, Ms. Hudson said she has remained focused on impact, transforming lives, real-life situations and scenarios. She is also dedicated to supporting the staff, volunteers and supporters at United Way Miami and leading the organization in its next phase of growth and evolution.
“We exist because fine people want to invest in what we do,” she said, “because we take that investment and we put it back into the community to those that need it.”
Ms. Hudson spoke with Miami Today reporter Abraham Galvan.
To read the original MIAMI TODAY article, click here.
