Head of Capital Area United Way steps down

Karen Profita resigned Thursday as CEO of the Capital Area United Way.

Profita’s resignation is effective immediately, according to a news release from the organization.

Her departure is the latest for the nonprofit, which has seen at least three other employees resign in the last month, including Michele Robinson, the senior vice president of community investment.

Profita had been the CEO of the local United Way for 3 1/2 years.

“Over the past few years, Karen helped us to rebuild the public perception of United Way and was instrumental in helping to reverse a downward trend in fundraising,” Tobie Craig, board chairman, said in the release. “She has represented us well with the public and our donors during this time.”

J. Richard Williams will replace Profita in the interim. Williams served as president of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, where he worked in community relations and philanthropic programming, and retired in 2008, according to the release.

“This is a wonderful organization,” Williams said in the release. “I welcome the opportunity to pitch in to ensure that United Way continues to positively impact lives in the 10-parish area until a permanent CEO is hired. The first thing I want to do is to assure all of our partner agencies that the allocations, approved by the board of directors at the April 20 board meeting, will be carried out without interruption.”

Editor’s note: This story was modified on May 4, 2012, to correct when Williams retired from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.