Daphne Principe-Griffin, New Chief of Staff of Region’s Largest United Way, Brings Experience Addressing Equity and Opportunity Gaps

BOSTON – United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley welcomes Daphne Principe-Griffin as the organization’s new Chief of Staff, President and CEO Bob Giannino announced today.  Principe-Griffin brings more than 25 years of experience as a non-profit leader with accomplishments in organizational development as well as a career focused on addressing issues of equity and reducing opportunity gaps for children, youth, and families in underserved communities both locally and nationally.

Principe-Griffin will join the region’s largest United Way as it launches a series of activities to build on the organization’s core strengths of impact, partnerships, and mobilization of resources to empower individuals, families and communities as they recover and rebuild following the Covid-19 crisis.

“Daphne comes to United Way with incredibly relevant experience and a deep understanding of the communities we are focused on lifting up,” Giannino said. “I am thrilled to have someone with her knowledge, familiarity with Greater Boston, and passion and enthusiasm for the important work that lies ahead.  Daphne’s skills will be critical as we plan to address issues of racial and social justice and empower our communities to emerge stronger and more prepared for the future.”

In her role as Chief of Staff, Principe-Griffin will help manage and facilitate the strategic planning process for United Way’s impact work that puts equity at the center of our region’s recovery.  She will also play a critical role guiding new strategies to reimagine corporate partnerships that will lead to increased corporate engagement around priority social issue areas, new revenue models, and deeper community and business impact.

“I am excited to join United Way at such a dynamic time and to embark on the important work of increasing the capacity to partner with our communities in meaningful ways,” Principe-Griffin said.  “I am looking forward to working with a talented team focused on deepening United Way’s civic engagement and unlocking new solutions that attract the resources we need to build stronger and more equitable communities.”

Principe-Griffin most recently worked as a senior non-profit consultant working with school districts in Oregon and Boston as well as local non-profit agencies.  She has also served as the Executive Director of Scholar Athletes, a state-wide youth-serving organization.

She served as Boston’s first Latino-American appointed Chief of Human Services in the Menino Administration overseeing seven city departments with a combined budget of over $29 million.  Prior to her career in the Mayor’s Cabinet, she was the Executive Director of Boston Center for Youth & Families, Boston’s largest public human service agency.   She also served as the Executive Director of the Blue Hill Club, Boys & Girls Club of Boston.

Daphne’s extensive leadership experience includes serving on local and national Boards that focus on youth development, Latino education, and education policy.  Principe-Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and is a Master of Public Policy candidate at Tufts University.  She is originally from Puerto Rico and is the proud mother of two daughters.

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About United Way

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is a leading civic engagement organization dedicated to responding to our region’s most pressing issues. We listen and work with communities to identify areas of greatest need and innovative approaches to address them, and then mobilize donors and corporate partners to provide resources to create positive lasting change. As the largest private funder of early childhood education and out-of-school time in Massachusetts, we are preparing children for success in school, work, and life. We connect those in need of financial assistance with resources to pay their bills, stay in their homes, and receive the coaching and job training needed to take real steps toward financial stability and opportunity. We have a vision and a mandate to empower stronger, more equitable communities, and we have the scale and reach to help. Our deep partnerships with hundreds of nonprofit organizations, state and municipal leaders, and businesses make us the region’s go-to mobilizer to address urgent needs and activate comprehensive, long-term solutions.