Where United Way’s Leader Isn’t the Boss

While Brian A. Gallagher works 70-hour weeks overseeing one of the largest charities in the country, he prides himself

on staying involved with his family. The president of United Way of America, who just started his third year on the job, frequently leaves the office in the middle of the afternoon to watch his daughters’ sports games.

“It might mean that I work until 9 o’clock at night,” he says, “but I don’t want to miss these years of their lives.”

In all his years of traveling with United Way — he currently spends about half the year on the road — he says he has never missed a day calling home. Every year, he takes his wife, Ramona, with whom he will celebrate 20 years of marriage next month, and two daughters — Katie, 16, and Maggie, 11 — on several business trips with him.

Mr. Gallagher thinks that staying involved with his family despite his hectic schedule sets a good example for other people in his organization as they try to balance their professional and personal lives.

“I know a lot of families struggle with this,” he says. “My feeling is family comes first. And if you listen closely to what your kids and your spouse have to say about how you manage this, they have important things to say.”

Focusing on balancing work with his family life has helped him in many ways at the office, he says. During his past decade or so at United Way — he has worked in the organization for more than 20 years — Mr. Gallagher has allowed his work colleagues to get to know his wife and daughters by bringing them to United Way social functions. That has made work more enjoyable, he says, and persuaded people to approach him who might not have before.

“I spent the first half of my career trying to keep my personal life and professional life separate — my idea was to stay private and defend myself,” Mr. Gallagher says. “I decided not to fight it anymore, and it’s been a spectacular experience.”

The Chronicle interviewed the Gallagher family in the living room of their Chevy Chase, Md., home. Following are excerpts from the conversation:

How has living with three women affected your management style?

Mr. Gallagher: It’s actually four females if you count the dog. Let’s just say I’m not the boss around here.

What do you think your dad does for a living?

Maggie: Travels.

Katie: He’s the president of United Way of America. His job is to help them change their focus from fund raising to community impact.

Mr. Gallagher: You guys are acting so formal, it’s hard to believe you’re my daughters.

Katie: Excuse you! He’s an instigator. He knows you’ll get mad so he starts an argument.

Mr. Gallagher: It’s a special talent I have.

Were you a good student?

Mr. Gallagher: I’ve been hit by more than one nun — probably eight or nine. Sister Marie Clare smacked me across the face twice. I was a smart aleck and got bored easily.

What’s the strictest thing about you now?

Mr. Gallagher: I believe in second chances unless you lie. If you lie, there’s no second chance with me. A lie is a lie, and that says a lot about a person.

Maggie: Even though we fib on shopping trips?

Mr. Gallagher: That’s a lack of transparency, dear.

Your dad gets gifts from local United Ways when he travels around the country. What’s the best gift he’s gotten?

Maggie: Cowboy boots.

Mrs. Gallagher: We don’t let him out of the house in them.

When your dad comes to your field-hockey games, how does he act?

Katie: He screams advice.

What does he scream?

Maggie: Read the rule book!

If he took a year off to stay home with all of you, what do you think he would do?

Mrs. Gallagher: He’d go crazy. His mind never rests.

If you had to describe your dad, what would you say about him?

Maggie: Well, he’s nice, of course. He’s supportive.

Katie: Sarcastic.

Maggie: That’s a bad thing, Katie.

Katie: Well, it’s true.

Maggie: Businessy. That means he’s good at business. He works a lot. But he still has time for us.

Katie: His home personality is a lot different from how he acts at work. He’s really funny, sarcastic — except when he’s making fun of my clothing. Then I don’t enjoy it. He’s honest, loving, and very hard-working. He has a passion for United Way. He’s tolerant because we tease him a lot.

Maggie (turning to her father): You’re loved by us.