One Hope United (OHU) is excited to announce the appointment of Damon Cates, EdD as its new President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). After an extensive national search, Cates, who has been serving as Interim President & CEO since August 2023, has been officially named to the role.
“Four months ago, the OHU Board of Directors embarked on a search for the next President & CEO to increase access to quality early childhood education, improve child welfare outcomes, and expand mental health services,” said Chris Hoffman, Chair of the OHU Board of Directors. “We are delighted that our search led us to Damon Cates, who is the right leader for the job.”
In his interim role, Cates demonstrated exceptional leadership, including securing significant fundraising at both the state and federal levels, enhancing relationships with legislative leaders in Illinois and Florida, and guiding the organisation through its COA accreditation process. Cates also worked to strengthen collaboration within OHU and played a pivotal role in shaping and sharing the One Hope United story, all while continuing his duties as Chief Advancement Officer.
“I’m thrilled that I will be able to continue to join you all in this fight to expand children and family services nationwide, build upon the strong legacy of the organisation, and lead us effectively towards our next generation of impact,” said Cates.
“Damon creates an atmosphere where collaboration and teamwork can flourish, which is what you need in an organisation that relies on ingenuity and creativity to grow and thrive,” added Jerry Haralson, CEO Transition Committee leader and board member.
Under Cates’ leadership, OHU aims to expand its support services in both Florida and Illinois. The OHU Promise is a commitment to increase the number of children and families served from 10,000 to 15,000 by 2030 while growing revenue from $75 million to $125 million.
“Please join us in extending a warm ‘Thank You’ to Damon Cates as he continues his impactful work for One Hope United through his new official role as CEO,” says Hoffman. “We look forward to continued growth and reach under his leadership.”
