PBN C-Suite 2024 Awards
NONPROFIT/SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY: Robert Bush
United Way of Rhode Island Inc. | Chief operating officer
THE JEDI PHILOSOPHY isn’t just talk at the United Way of Rhode Island Inc. The principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion are incorporated into everything the nonprofit does, from hiring to day-to-day operations.
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Implementing the JEDI approach is where United Way Chief Operating Officer Robert Bush comes in.
“How do we live it out? That was the important question,” Bush said. “We had to establish the internal procedures to support our external work.”
Bush came to the Providence-based community organization three years ago and immediately began collaborating with staff to develop a robust JEDI program that would have an impact inside and out. Together, they collaborated to co-convene United Way’s culture, equity and strengths committee, which has contributed over the past several years to transformational cultural change.
In his chief officer role, Bush reconfigured vendor management contracts and programs, as well as weaved this critical work into each staff member’s job description and synchronized it with the organization’s overall pay structure. Through the JEDI approach, decision-making is made collaboratively, allowing ample time and space for inclusive discussions encompassing a broad range of perspectives, raising voices that traditionally go unheard.
“It’s so rewarding to see progress happening right in front of me,” Bush said. “Our team is working together to incorporate changes that will improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders.”
Committed to uniquely serving the needs of all Rhode Islanders, the United Way is one of the state’s largest nonprofits. The organization’s mission is to unite the community and resources to build racial equity and opportunity.
Larry Warner, United Way’s chief impact and equity officer, says the nonprofit has made great progress under Bush’s capable guidance. He said Bush has been an “invaluable and strategic thought partner” in the traditional areas of organizational operations, as well as in United Way’s organizational culture work.
The results, from a business perspective alone, have been positive. The organization demonstrated improved decision-making processes, increased employee retention rates, and there was better application of funding to those most in need and increased cooperation among team members.
Bush’s contributions to United Way started with utilizing technology to develop systems that help track the organization’s effectiveness at meeting the needs of the community.
“We wanted the measures of our success to be visible and transparent,” he said, “so that we could use that information to promote systems change.”
The data the organization is collecting informs how it responds to the community, allowing them to continually evolve through changing and challenging times. United Way’s latest initiative, the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact, was formed because of it.
Designed to enhance and support the efforts of local organizations, the alliance, launched in January, formed programs and services to strengthen work and support within the nonprofit sector.
“We know there are tremendous areas of need in the community. Housing and food insecurity are at the top of the list,” Bush said. “The alliance was created to align services to have the greatest impact.”
Among its offerings, the alliance will provide opportunities for professional development and training, organizing advocacy campaigns around critical issues, as well as bringing together nonprofit leaders and staff to coordinate their efforts.
Bush brings to the table more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management with posts at the East Texas Food Bank and the Corporation for National and Community Service. He credits the United Way team’s dedication and commitment to the organization’s success.
“It’s not a solo effort. This work could not be done without all of us pitching in together,” he said. “That’s our commitment to the community.”
At the same time, he received high praise from organization CEO and President Cortney Nicolato for his accomplishments. She described Bush as “a blessing” to the organization and Rhode Island.
“He brought his vast experience to transform how we do our business here at United Way,” Nicolato said. “Above all, Robert is a trusted partner, treasured leader and role model for what it means to put community first.”
