Abigail Boatwright 2023-09-15 08:13:59
He pulls together people who care about Denton County to make it better.
Gary Henderson is the president and chief executive officer at United Way of Denton County, a local nonprofit that is a member of United Way. But he began his career in finance, at Price Waterhouse, as a management consultant, where he gained an appreciation for the power of collaboration. He then went on to work at Bank of America as senior vice president of wealth management over private bank technology and operations.
After reflecting on what type of impact he wanted to make with his life, he decided to make a career change.
“I just wanted to do something that really made a bigger difference in my local community,” Henderson said. “That’s really what led me out of the for-profit world into the nonprofit world.”
He joined Communities in Schools of North Texas, a small nonprofit in Lewisville, as CEO in 2003. He began working at United Way of Denton County in 2011. He was ready for the challenge to help raise funds, improve systems and collaborate to make a greater impact for the entire county.
Henderson’s role as president and CEO is mainly to strategically connect others.
“I get to come to work every day to try to better understand why some households, some members of our community, struggle to be all they can be, and then I work together with a wide range of public and private organizations, nonprofits, companies and school districts to make a difference in those lives,” Henderson said.
United Way of Denton County is locally led and governed, operating “autonomously to the benefit of the people of Denton County,” Henderson said. “But we have a vast amount of resources and knowledge and tools at our fingertips from United Way Worldwide.”
One of the efforts Henderson most appreciates is working with the local nonprofit Denton County Veterans Coalition to gather resources under United Way of Denton County’s Behavioral Health Leadership Team, which focuses on serving veterans and addressing homelessness and mental health.
“It was with that work that we learned the power of bringing into a room members of our community who recognize the problem, and to build a solution,” Henderson said. “[It was great] just seeing the power of people who care so much about our community, but needing the vehicle, the movement, the opportunity. I think the power of collaboration can never be underestimated.”
Innovation to Henderson looks like the metaphor of standing on a platform with a megaphone, highlighting the problem, and bringing together organizations to make a difference.
Considering his legacy, Henderson shines a light on the next generation of leaders.
“The accomplishments that are important to me right now are when I see one of our staff take on a challenge, grow into that challenge and then lead our community,” Henderson said. “I feel my role as CEO is to make sure that when we pass the baton to the next generation of United Way of Denton County board members, staff, donors and volunteers, that we’ve positioned them as best as possible for success for Denton County.”
Hometown
Huntington Beach, California
Where he lives now
Denton
Education
bachelor’s degree in business computer methods from California State University at Long Beach
Family
wife Pam; children Lindsay and Mark; one grandchild McKenzie
Interesting fact
“When I’m not working, I like working in my yard and being outside.”
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Gary Henderson
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