Jeffery Hayward

As chief of external affairs at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, Jeff is responsible for overseeing the annual strategic investment of nearly $35M in initiatives and agencies contributing toward the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley’s mission and vision. He is also responsible for shaping, executing and managing United Way’s public policy strategy and agenda. Jeff also oversees the United Way efforts to engage volunteers in furthering the United Way agenda and leads a team responsible for major giving and transformational gifts along with grants and foundation giving.

Just prior to his becoming chief of external affairs, he held the position of senior vice president of community impact where he was responsible for the development and implementation of United Way’s strategies related to healthy childhood development, increasing youth opportunities and family financial stability.

Jeff’s professional background – a hybrid of politics, public and private sector service – has prepared him well for his responsibilities. He previously served as chief of staff to the Mayor of Lynn for five years. He later served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives before becoming the New England vice president for development and marketing for a national, publicly traded health care company.

He was also a member of the MA Policy Academy on Ending Family Homelessness charged with developing a 10-year plan to eliminate family homelessness; and was a member of the MA Department of Transitional Assistance’s Housing and Homeless Advisory Committee appointed by the Commissioner of DTA. More recently he served on the Massachusetts Commission to End Homelessness which developed a five year plan to end homelessness in MA under the Patrick Administration.

Jeff also served as a member of the IDA Advisory Panel at the MA Department of Housing and Community Development.

Finally, he also served as a member of the United Way of America, Financial Stability Partnership Steering Committee, representing one of 25 United Ways selected for their innovation in using asset building as a strategy for providing economic opportunities for lower income families.

Jeff is currently a board member of Associated Grant Makers.

He has been with United Way for eleven years.