Introducing our New CEO, Maicharia Z. Weir Lytle

BOSTON, MA -- The Board of Directors of United South End Settlements (USES) is pleased to announce the selection of Maicharia Z. Weir Lytle as the organization’s next CEO. USES is a Boston based non-profit that is working to build a strong community by improving the education, health, safety and economic security of individuals and families in Boston’s historic South End/Lower Roxbury. Maicharia will succeed Kevin Hepner, who served as CEO for over six years before leaving USES in late June to become the Vice President for Administration and Finance at Roxbury Community College. Ruth Aaron has led the organization as interim CEO since Kevin’s departure.

The Board’s Search Committee and its outside search consultant, Susan Egmont of Egmont Associates, selected Maicharia after an extensive national search. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Maicharia to the USES family,” said Bill Meserve, Chair of the USES Board and of its Search Committee. “The Search Committee and the Board concluded unanimously that Maicharia has the right combination of experience, energy, enthusiasm, passion and interpersonal skills to lead USES effectively as our new CEO. All of us are extremely excited about working with her to better serve our South End/Lower Roxbury community.”

Maicharia has over fifteen years of executive leadership and management, fundraising, community development, program management, and alliance management experience in Boston’s nonprofit sector. Her expertise in developing organizations and individuals is deeply rooted in Maicharia’s exceptional ability to unite and collaborate with various partners, including public services, schools, community organizations, philanthropists and institutions of higher education. For the past five years she has served as the first Executive Director of LIFT-Boston, where she revitalized the organization’s vision and model of community engagement. Prior to LIFT, Maicharia worked as Vice President of Development at Whittier Street Health Center in Roxbury, was a fundraiser at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Bentley College, and served for six years as Executive Director of the Organization for a New Equality.

Maicharia’s service and leadership extend to her volunteer roles as a founding board member of Mothers for Justice and Equality (MJE), a board member of the Community Center of Needham (CCN), a former board member for the Simmons School of Management Alumni Association, and a former volunteer for Big Sisters. Maicharia received an MBA from Simmons School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut.

“I am thrilled and honored to be joining such an incredible organization and team of people,” remarked Maicharia. “United South End Settlements is a pioneer in place-based work - helping neighbors in the South End and Lower Roxbury improve their overall well-being. I look forward to leading USES during its next phase of strengthening, engaging and representing its many residents and partners. Our goal is to continue to serve as the ‘living room’ of our community – a place where our collective family has a voice, support, and a chance to develop themselves while also helping others.”

Maicharia is currently scheduled to assume her role as the new executive leader at USES at the beginning of February 2015.

About United South End Settlements

United South End Settlements traces its origin back to 1891 with the establishment of the first settlement house in Boston and the fourth in the United States. The current organization resulted from the merger in 1960 of five different social service agencies, including the original settlement house, all of which were located in Boston’s historic South End. USES’ mission is to build a strong community by improving the education, health, safety and economic security of low income individuals and families in the South End and Lower Roxbury and to serve as a national model of successful community engagement. USES’ innovative programs serve more than 3,000 individuals of all ages annually through a diverse portfolio of programs and services including early childhood education; after school and summer camp experiences for both boys and girls; arts activities; adult education and workforce readiness; and senior health, wellness and home repair services. USES operates its programs at four different locations: the Harriet Tubman House on Columbus Avenue in Boston; the South End House on Rutland Street in Boston; the Children’s Art Center, also on Rutland Street; and Camp Hale on Squam Lake in Center Sandwich, New Hampshire. For further information, visit www.uses.org.