United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s President and CEO, Eric Harrison, Selected as a 2024 Hartford Business Journal C-Suite Award Honoree

Hartford, Conn. (September 5, 2024) — Eric Harrison, President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, was selected as one of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2024 C-Suite Award Honorees. These awards recognize top-performing executives in Greater Hartford who have contributed to their organization’s overall growth and demonstrate a commitment to good ethics, reporting and involvement in the community.  

In his two-and-a-half-year tenure, Harrison has focused on evolving United Way’s business by listening to residents, donors, community partners, municipal leaders and volunteers. He is leading the organization through a multi-year strategic planning process focused on diversifying and growing revenue; increasing brand recognition of and loyalty to United Way across the 860 region; and, maximizing impact through innovative partnerships and an emphasis on advocacy. Internally, he restructured the organization to greater align departments, adding strength and capacity; made culture and employee engagement a top priority; and, sold the organization’s office building to allow greater focus on fulfillment of its mission 

“We are very pleased and impressed with Eric’s leadership in the short time he has been with our United Way. Eric is a strategic thinker and a bold goal-setter, attributes that have offered immediate enhancements to our impact work,” said Pete Collins, United Way Board Chair and Senior Vice President for Enterprise Operations at Travelers. “The C-Suite Award is certainly a well-deserved recognition, and we on the Board of Directors are all incredibly proud of this accomplishment. We are eager to see Eric continue to contribute to the organization and the community for many years to come.” 

Harrison was recently appointed as Chair of the Connecticut United Ways Chief Professional Officers Council. This council is a formal Board committee of United Way of Connecticut, and through collaboration and coordination, the Connecticut United Ways undertake projects, efforts and advocacy to create positive impact on the communities they serve and the state as a whole.  

“Making the decision to move to Connecticut has been one of the most rewarding experiences, both professionally and personally. I remain eager to apply all the lessons learned in my previous roles to eliminate poverty in all its forms in the 860 region,” shared Harrison. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside other great executives whose contributions make Connecticut a great place to work and live,” he concluded.  

Harrison has a robust career in the United Way network and the nonprofit sector. Before joining United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, he served as President and CEO of United Way of Ventura County.  Before that, he advanced in the United Way network, ultimately holding leadership positions in resource development at United Way Silicon Valley and United Way of the Wine Country. Harrison also held leadership positions at two other nonprofit organizations serving first as Development Director for Equality California and then as Executive Director of Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing. Harrison was honored by the Pacific Coast Business Times and the North Bay Business Journal respectively as a “40 Under 40” recipient. He completed several United Way Worldwide leadership development programs along with Harvard’s Kennedy School program on Performance Measurement for Effective Management of Nonprofits.  Most recently, Eric completed the Executive Leadership Program “Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management” at Harvard University. Harrison holds an MBA from the Minnesota School of Business and a BA in Speech Communications and Theatre Arts from Concordia College. 

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut 
United Way closes gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy to make the 860 region an equitable place where everyone succeeds. United Way does this by aligning partners across sectors to end poverty; leveraging information and experience to deepen impact; connecting people with resources and opportunities to make a difference; and, transforming the future with game-changing solutions. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.    

Media Contact: Anyeline Céspedes López | United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut | acespedes@unitedwayinc.org | 787.502.0436