Eric Guckian is the CEO of United Way of the Greater Triangle, a nonprofit organization committed to investing in community driven solutions that advance racial and economic justice. Eric has served in this role for six years and led a dramatic turnaround in the organization’s impact, relevance, and commitment to equity. He has helped to launch such innovative solutions as the Triangle 10 to Watch and the Triangle Rapid Response Fund. He has also secured national partnerships with McKenzie Scott and the Novo Foundation. Since the pandemic began, United Way has invested over $25M into the Triangle, supporting hundreds of nonprofit and community organizations to help people millions of times over.
Guckian has spent his entire career bridging the gaps between public, private, and nonprofit entities to drive access and opportunity for children and families. He has served as the Executive Director of Teach for America – North Carolina, Executive Director of New Leaders (a development model for principals and school leaders) and has advised both North Carolina Governor McCrory and Governor Hunt on educational issues. During his two years serving as the Senior Education Advisor for the state, he helped to facilitate the two highest teacher raises in the nation. In 2015, Eric was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civic honor, for his service.