Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s board of directors has appointed Christopher F. Kerrigan as the organization’s next president and CEO. Kerrigan succeeds Denise Spencer, who is retiring later this spring.
Kerrigan has 30 years of experience in not-for-profit fundraising, administration, marketing and service delivery. For the past 20 years Kerrigan has been president and CEO of Trident United Way serving the tri-county region (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in South Carolina). Trident United Way is one of the fastest-growing United Way organizations in the nation. It is an organization that has been nationally recognized for innovation, results measurement and community engagement.
Kerrigan is a recognized leader in the non-profit sector, both in South Carolina and nationally. While in Charleston, he has been a member of the Mayor’s Children and Youth Council, chair of the United Way of South Carolina CEO Council and chair of United Way’s National President’s Roundtable. He is a former member of the National Professional Council of United Way Worldwide and a founding board member of the National African American Museum in Charleston.
Kerrigan has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 40 Leaders under 40 years of age by Charleston Regional Business Journal. Additionally, he was named one of Charleston’s 35 most influential leaders and then, five years later, one of Charleston’s 40 most influential leaders over the past 40 years by Charleston Magazine.
“The search committee of the Community Foundation’s board conducted a national search to insure we identified the most qualified and visionary leader in the field,” said Jim Allhusen, chair of the Community Foundation’s board. “We received over 80 applications for this position – candidates from Alaska to New York were vetted – and we were pleased that the most qualified candidate was right here in South Carolina. Chris Kerrigan knows the Lowcountry and the diverse communities we serve and is a proven leader in his field.”
Local business leader Allen Ward headed the Community Foundation board’s search committee.
“Chris Kerrigan is a compassionate collaborator with a bias for data-driven action,” Ward said. “I look forward to working with him to strengthen communities throughout the Lowcountry region.”
Kerrigan said he is “thrilled to have the opportunity to serve our Lowcountry communities and to build upon the successful work of our staff, donors, volunteers and non-profit organizations.”
Kerrigan and his wife, Beth, have three children. Kerrigan will begin work in early April.
