Graham to Join Council for Health and Human Service Ministries as Vice President

October 15, 2018 | Barb Powell

George Graham

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries is pleased to announce that the Rev. George R. Graham is CHHSM’s new vice president. He begins his post Nov. 1, 2018.

“George has a wealth of program development, health and human service, nonprofit management, communication, and philanthropy experience,” says Michael J. Readinger, president and CEO. “We are delighted to welcome him to CHHSM.”

Graham comes to CHHSM from the Seidman Cancer Center of University Hospitals in Cleveland, where he has served as development officer since 2014. From 2007 to 2014, he was the director of development and external relations for Adoption Network Cleveland. He also has worked for the national setting of the United Church of Christ, as editorial director for professional and academic resources, The Pilgrim Press, from 2000 to 2002; and as associate for leadership gifts from 2002 to 2007.

“I have admired CHHSM’s work for many years, and view member organizations as real places of vitality and witness on behalf of the United Church of Christ,” Graham says. “I am thrilled to join the CHHSM staff as vice president, and excited about the ways in which this role will allow me to bring my experience with health and human services together with my passion for the United Church of Christ.”

In his new role, Graham will provide supervision of staff and handle personnel matters, oversee organizational operations, and assist Readinger in strategic planning, partner collaborations, and member engagement initiatives. He also will manage CHHSM’s Annual Gathering and General Synod participation.

“George’s addition to the staff provides an excellent opportunity to refine CHHSM’s staffing model,” Readinger says. “His unique skillset allowed us to create this new vice president position, which will strengthen CHHSM’s ability to achieve its vision to create a just, caring and compassionate world.”

Ordained into Christian ministry in the United Church of Christ in 2003, Graham earned his M.Div. degree from Vanderbilt University in 1990 and holds a B.A. degree from Hiram College with majors in religion and German (1986). He lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with his spouse, Michael Fleenor, and children Robert (15) and Ellen (11).