#USA #Phoenix #Make-A-Wish #Whitney Eichinger #Kate Gebo

Make-A-Wish America Welcomes New Leaders to Its National Board

Make-A-Wish America has announced a significant development in its governance with the appointment of two prominent industry leaders, Whitney Eichinger and Kate Gebo, to its national board of directors. This strategic addition reflects the organization’s commitment to enhancing its mission of granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Meet the New Board Members
Whitney Eichinger, who serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Southwest Airlines, brings a wealth of experience in communications and culture leadership. Her tenure at Southwest has been marked by innovative marketing strategies and a solid commitment to cultivating a highly engaged workforce, celebrated for its exceptional hospitality. Reflecting on her journey, Eichinger has played pivotal roles in shaping the airline’s public relations strategies and fostering an inclusive organizational culture. As a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, and with her extensive background in communication, she is well-equipped to contribute to Make-A-Wish's mission.

On the other hand, Kate Gebo, who holds the title of Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations at United Airlines, plays an instrumental role in transforming United's corporate culture. With a focus on enhancing the employee experience, Gebo leads a global team dedicated to fostering talent and building effective teams around customer satisfaction. Her involvement with United Airlines, which began in 1998, has seen her take on various leadership roles, making her a key asset to the Make-A-Wish board. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul University, alongside a Master’s from Loyola University of Chicago.

Enhancing the Mission
Leslie Motter, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, expressed her excitement over the new appointments, stating, “We are honored to welcome Kate and Whitney to our national board. Their remarkable leadership and commitment to community will greatly enhance our mission, helping us deliver hope and joy to even more children facing critical illnesses throughout the country.”

This board now comprises 21 dedicated members, each bringing diverse expertise from sectors such as finance, management, and marketing. Together, they strive to fulfill the Make-A-Wish mission, which significantly impacts the emotional and physical well-being of children facing severe health challenges.

The Importance of Wishes
Make-A-Wish America operates with a profound understanding of the life-changing power of wishes. With over 75% of wishes involving air travel, the knowledge and insights brought by Eichinger and Gebo from the aviation sector are invaluable. They are positioned to help the organization navigate partnerships with airlines effectively, ensuring that every wish can be fulfilled, thus turning dreams into reality for children in desperate need of light in their lives.

Make-A-Wish operates 57 chapters across the United States, with each focusing on local charitable initiatives. The collaboration and commitment from these national board members underline the organization’s values of community service and altruism.

Get Involved
As Make-A-Wish America continues its mission to grant wishes, the organization encourages community involvement and support from the public. To discover how you can contribute to this wonderful cause or learn more about the impact of wishes, please visit wish.org.

Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit that operates locally in all 50 states. Since its inception in 1980, it has granted over 615,000 wishes worldwide, staying dedicated to providing hope, joy, and comfort to children and their families when they need it the most. Join us in making wishes come true and spreading joy in the lives of those who deserve it most.