Perwaiz Named Chairwoman of United Way Board
The president and CEO of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance will serve a two-year term leading the regional organization.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People
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Sabeen Perwaiz has been selected as the new board chairwoman for the United Way of Northeast Florida. She succeeds Darnell Smith to lead the organization's regional governance.
Why it matters
The transition brings leadership experience from the nonprofit sector to the helm of a major regional service organization. Perwaiz remains in her role as the head of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance during her board tenure.
Perwaiz is set to serve a two-year term as chairwoman of the United Way of Northeast Florida board. This appointment follows the conclusion of Darnell Smith's tenure as chair.
The players
Sabeen Perwaiz
The president and CEO of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance who now serves as board chairwoman for the United Way of Northeast Florida.
Darnell Smith
A former executive at Florida Blue who recently concluded his tenure as the board chair for the United Way of Northeast Florida.
The details
The board of directors for the United Way of Northeast Florida selected Perwaiz to provide organizational oversight and governance. She continues to lead the Jacksonville-based Florida Nonprofit Alliance while managing these board responsibilities. The change marks a shift in leadership from Smith, who previously served as an executive at Florida Blue.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Sabeen Perwaiz was named chairwoman of the United Way board.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the typical cadence of leadership transitions seen in regional nonprofit governance. The move reflects a broader trend of cross-pollinating leadership between industry-specific advocacy groups and large-scale regional service organizations.
Operators in the nonprofit and social service sectors should monitor this transition for potential shifts in the organization's regional engagement strategy. Evaluating how leadership changes at large entities affect local partnerships is a standard part of effective networking.
The takeaway
The appointment of a nonprofit sector veteran signals a potential alignment of board governance with advocacy best practices. Local business leaders should track the incoming chairwoman’s initiatives to understand evolving priorities for regional community service funding and resource allocation.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, visit People.
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