WASHINGTON — Charlotte Haberaecker has announced her plan to retire after 10 years of leading Lutheran Services in America, one of the nation’s largest health and human services networks that reaches one in 50 people in America each year. Haberaecker’s retirement culminates a more than 40-year career of leading transformational change across the nonprofit, public and private sectors.
During Haberaecker’s tenure as president and CEO, Lutheran Services in America forged new partnerships and leveraged the collaborative spirit of its national network to advance innovation and drive systemic change for people and communities. Through the collective efforts of its team, 300-member network and partners, Lutheran Services in America is addressing some of the most complex, challenging issues affecting the wide range of people that its network serves in 1,400 communities nationwide.
“Our national network — and our country — are better today because of Charlotte’s vision and leadership,” said Darrell Gordon, chair of the Lutheran Services in America board of directors. “Charlotte’s tireless efforts have moved our strategic vision forward in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. We have more opportunities to lift up people of all backgrounds in new ways and achieve better outcomes in hundreds of communities across 46 states. On behalf of the entire board, I thank Charlotte for her service and steadfast commitment to our mission.”
“I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve this phenomenal network of 300 Lutheran social ministries whose missions are to empower people in America to lead their best lives,” said Haberaecker. “The talent and dedication of the nonprofit leaders across our network, as well as my fabulous team and board of directors for our national office make it possible to chart new paths to achieve ambitious goals and a healthier, more equitable future for people living in America.”
Under Haberaecker’s leadership, Lutheran Services in America fostered new partnerships with foundations and health and academic groups to expand innovative approaches that empower families and address racial and economic inequities that disproportionately harm children and families of color. A product of this effort is the Results Innovation Lab with its goal of achieving equitable outcomes for 20,000 children and families by 2024. Lutheran Services in America is also expanding community-based services for older adults that enable them to age with dignity, respect and purpose in the home and community of their choice.
Exemplifying the power of partnership at the local and national levels, Lutheran Services in America also expanded the impact of the network’s collective, nonpartisan voice in Washington, using the power of a $23 billion faith-based network to advocate policies that improve the health and well-being of one in 50 people in America the network cares for each year.
Haberaecker came to Lutheran Services in America after serving as the number 2 executive at Global Impact, a $110 million nonprofit that provides funding for critical humanitarian needs around the world. Previously she held senior leadership positions in management consulting at Price Waterhouse and at Fannie Mae.
Over her career, Charlotte was the recipient of numerous awards, most recently the 2018 Rebrand 100 Global Award for one of the top 100 brand transformations in the world, the 2017 Humanitarian award from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the 2015 NonProfit Times Magazine’s “Power & Influence Top 50.”
“Thanks to Charlotte’s steady direction, Lutheran Services in America is well-positioned to continue its work in expanding innovative ways to love and care for people in our communities experiencing need,” said Linda Timmons, the former chair of the Lutheran Services in America board of directors that selected Haberaecker as president and CEO in 2012. “Lutheran Services in America succeeded because Charlotte understood the power of this national network and the people who work to drive systemic change each and every day. Our network is closer, more united and better prepared to address complex challenges and meet the needs of our communities.”
Haberaecker will remain in her position as president and CEO as the Lutheran Services in America board of directors conducts a search for a new chief executive, with plans to transition to a successor in early 2023.
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About Lutheran Services in America
Lutheran Services in America is a national network of 300 Lutheran health and human services organizations that reaches one in 50 people in America each year. Recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Forbes as one of the nation’s top nonprofit organizations, the Lutheran Services in America network operates with more than $23 billion in combined annual revenue. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Lutheran Services in America leads innovative collaborations with partners in philanthropy, academia, healthcare and others to address the most critical challenges in our communities and empower people to lead their best lives.
To learn more, visit lutheranservices.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
