Dr. Richard B. “Rick” White and Anita R. White will co-chair this year’s Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society (CCS) for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the region’s premiere African-American philanthropic group. With more than 850 local members, last year CCS raised a record $3.8 million for United Way of Greater St. Louis.
Dr. Rick White is executive medical director of health plan affairs for SSM Health Care. Anita White spent her career in IT and finance, including serving as faculty at California State University Fresno and as an adjunct assistant professor at University of Missouri-St. Louis’ School of Business.
Leadership society chairs help recruit new members and inspire existing members to engage in United Way’s community campaign, supporting the efforts of the overall campaign chairs. In June, United Way announced that Mark S. Wrighton, chancellor of Washington University, and Jeff Fox, chairman and CEO of Harbour Group, would serve as the 2018 campaign chairs.
“African-American giving in our region is essential to the success of the local community, which is why hundreds of Chapman Society members are committed to uplifting our community to help people live their best possible lives,” said Dr. Rick White. “I’m honored to serve alongside my wife in this important role and to work with the many community leaders engaged with United Way and the Society.”
The spouses met when they were both undergraduates at Harvard University, and they married just before attending their respective graduate schools at Stanford University. They have two children, Jonathan and Adrienne, who they are proud to say have also been CCS members.
“Rick and I are inspired by the legacy of Charmaine Chapman and her dream of building a better community,” said Anita White. “It is no surprise that our region has the top philanthropic program for African Americans in the nation as there are so many dedicated and passionate people looking to make a difference in our community.”
Charmaine Chapman was the first woman and first African American to head United Way of Greater St. Louis as its president and chief executive officer. During her tenure, she led the organization to some of its greatest fundraising successes.
Dr. Rick White has been involved in medical administration and policy development in a number of capacities over the last 35 years, including chairman of internal medicine at Family Health Plan in California; vice chief of staff at Charter Community Hospital, assistant clinical professor of medicine at University of California, San Francisco; and medical director at UnitedHealthcare. He also has been a member of the board of directors for Rx Outreach, the St. Louis Diabetes Coalition and the Center for World Heath and Medicine.
Anita White has been involved in service organizations and her philanthropic activities have included tutoring math and computers. She currently serves as treasurer of The Archway (MO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
“We are grateful for the commitment and generosity of Drs. Rick and Anita White to volunteer their time and guide the efforts of our Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society,” said Orvin Kimbrough, president and CEO, United Way of Greater St. Louis. “Their work is vital to furthering our mission and helping people throughout the St. Louis region.”
With more than 8,000 members, United Way’s leadership societies – including Men’s, Women’s, African American Charmaine Chapman, and Multicultural – are comprised of individuals who generously contribute $1,000 or more annually. These groups provide relationship building and professional development, while leading positive change in a 16-county region throughout Missouri and Illinois.
For more information or to donate, visit https://tinyurl.com/ycq9no58.
