Whoa: Jim Cawley is leaving the United Way for Temple

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) announced today that President and CEO Jim Cawley would be stepping down to take a “senior leadership position” at Temple University, his alma mater.

That position is vice president of institutional advancement, Philly.com reports, aka the university’s “chief fundraiser.” Though his role at United Way involved some fundraising work, Cawley has never held a professional fundraising role.

United Way board member Mike DiCandilo will serve as interim president and CEO. Cawley’s departure date has not been named and is pending the identification of his replacement following a national search.

“It’s often said that there is never a ‘right’ time to leave, but with all that we have accomplished together — a refined and clear investment framework, cultivating new multi-year fundraising commitments, and the confidence of the Board and staff in our new direction — I know that I’m leaving United Way and the incredible team I had the privilege to work alongside in a position to succeed and take the next steps necessary for the future,” Cawley said in a statement.

Cawley came to UWGPSNJ in Jan. 2015 after serving as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor under Gov. Tom Corbett. He followed Jill Michal, who worked as the organization’s head for nearly six years.

This chapter of the national philanthropic organization made news in June when it absorbed the North Penn chapter for the sake of “completing our regional footprint for the organization,” Cawley wrote at the time.

UWGPSNJ will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 20121.