During times of transition, organizations rely on strong leadership to provide guidance, stability and a vision for implementing change. David Howe had extensive senior-level human resources experience, including 27 years in corporate America, when he joined the Board of The Father Center of New Jersey during the pandemic in 2020. The organization was preparing for the retirement of CEO Karen Andrade-Mims after 16 highly transformative years, and needed a succession plan. David played a key role in that process, which took place in 2023, chaired the Governance Committee in 2022, served as Vice President of the Board in 2023, and as President of the Board in 2024.
“I have always felt a strong need to work for an organization that makes the world a better place,” says David, who worked at Merck & Company for more than two decades, and also served on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County for nine years. “It’s important to me to give back to the community and help lift people up. I had a very active, involved and loving, fun dad. It was a gift not everyone has. I got involved with The Father Center so more kids can have dads involved in their lives, and so I can help the organization get stronger.”
Through his various roles and active involvement with the Board, David has contributed to strengthening the agency’s stature and performance. “We are advancing a comprehensive strategic plan as we develop a greater profile across the state,” he adds. “We have recently opened a new office in Camden, NJ. We have a fresh set of leaders on the Board, with Bryan (Evans) off to a terrific start as our new CEO. We have convened a second statewide Fatherhood Conference and have received a transformative grant from the Bunbury Fund, which will allow us to drive even greater success.”
David is married and has two grown children, and he loves to travel, cook and try new cuisines. And here is a fun fact: He used to be a singer! “I am a very big consumer of music. I love all different kinds of music, exploring places and trying new things,” he says.
