Elise Buik

Chief Executive, United Way of Greater Los Angeles

Elise Buik became the first female president and chief executive of United Way of Greater Los Angeles in 2005. She was inspired to join UWGLA in 1994 due to her strong belief in the organization’s mission, and her personal desire and responsibility to dedicate her career to helping others. Beginning her tenure in the marketing department, Buik has been instrumental in transforming the nonprofit into a community impact organization that identifies social issues, convenes experts, partners with other organizations, and crafts innovative solutions and policy. Under her leadership, UWGLA launched a strategic 10-year action plan called Creating Pathways Out of Poverty. She is on the board of the Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board.