Trident United Way names new CEO

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After an extensive nationwide search, Trident United Way has named a new leader.

David “D.J.” Hampton II will be taking over as president and CEO, effective April 17, according to a Trident United Way news release.

“D.J. brings more than 20 years of experience in the United Way network at both national and global levels,” said Trident United Way Board Chair Wendy Kopp in the release. “His knowledge of our mission is extensive, and his reputation is exceptional. We are thrilled and honored to have him join us in service to the Tri-County region.”

Hampton has held leadership roles at some of the largest nonprofits in the U.S., including over two decades within the United Way Network, having personally developed over $50 million in planned gifts, led teams supporting over $1.2 billion in annual individual giving and helped launch over $1 billion in initiative and endowment campaigns, according to the release.

“Members of the Board of Directors and the Search Committee worked diligently to find an executive who is energetic and passionate about our causes,” said Courtney Howard, a member of the board of directors and the search committee, in the release. “D.J. is an incredible leader who will support the growth of our organization and the future of our community.”

Trident United Way’s previous CEO, Chloe Knight Tonney, retired in August 2022 and board member Bradley R. Davis stepped in to serve as interim president & CEO throughout the search for a permanent replacement, the release stated. Davis will support Hampton through a transition period and then return to his role on the Board of Directors.

After United Way, Hampton led development for The ALS Association and worked to increase system-wide revenue 40% over three years following the Ice Bucket Challenge, the release stated. He also served as the senior vice president of market leadership and chief development officer for March of Dimes where he drove transformation, grew $130 million in annual revenue and led over 300 staff.

Most recently, Hampton founded and led ALoDay Consulting, where he advised and supported a variety of nonprofits globally.

“To say I’m eager to begin this journey with Trident United Way would be an understatement,” Hampton said in the release. “Today we are dealing with economic challenges that we haven’t seen since the 1800s, when the first United Way was founded. Costs for everything from food to housing have gone up, squeezing hardworking families. 38% of households in the Tri-County area are now struggling to make ends meet. The decisions we make today to support our neighbors will ripple out for generations, and I firmly believe that those decisions must be made with the community, for the community.”

Hampton earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Alfred University, a J.D. from the David A. Clarke School of Law and is a member of the D.C. Bar.