Libby Averyt, President and CEO of United Way of the Coastal Bend, announced plans to retire to focus on spending more time with family and friends.
In a letter to the organization’s board of directors on Monday, Oct. 2, Averyt wrote that she has “immense gratitude” for the board members and would be “forever grateful” for the love and support during the years she led the local nonprofit including during the pandemic. Her last day in the role will be Jan. 31, 2024.
“While the work we do is crucially important, I’m convinced it’s the human connections we make along the way that matter most,” Averyt wrote in the letter. “Along my career path, I’ve learned the value of listening, kindness, and compassion. I’ve learned that life is meant to be lived and loved, and I will keep doing that through traveling, family visits and walks on the beach.”
Averyt plans to aid in the transition in the months to come as the board of directors looks to select a successor.
She joined United Way nearly seven years ago after spending three decades as an award-winning journalist at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. She was appointed as the nonprofit’s CEO in 2019.
Catherine Hilliard, chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said the board and staff are grateful to Averyt for the many contributions she has made over the years to ensure the nonprofit’s future is bright.
“There is no doubt that this organization has thrived and grown immensely under Libby’s leadership and our community has benefitted from that,” Hilliard said. “It’s because of the example she’s set and the solid financial situation we are in that I know the momentum will continue in supporting our network of more than 60 local funded partners.”
Averyt also will celebrate two milestones – her upcoming marriage next month and 60th birthday in January. She plans to remain in Corpus Christi and continue serving on the Del Mar College Board of Regents. She also hosts KEDT’s “South Texas Leaders.”
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