Utoia Wooten

Utoia Wooten, Philanthropy Southeast’s new Senior Programs Associate, comes to the organization with a clear commitment to courageous leadership.

Philanthropy Southeast’s own Courageous Leadership strategy was one of several factors that drew Utoia to her new role. Another was a familiarity that grew during her time at the Foundation Center, now known as Candid. At the Foundation Center’s Atlanta office, Utoia served as a community outreach manager and training manager.

Programming will be a critical part of Utoia’s work at Philanthropy Southeast, especially with the return of in-person events like next month’s CEO Forum and the upcoming Hull Fellows spring retreat. Utoia will also support Philanthropy Southeast’s resource development work, something she has plenty of familiarity with as a resource development consultant for the Georgia Family Connection Partnership.

Utoia said her diverse work experience – which also includes time as a library services paraprofessional in the City Schools of Decatur system – has cultivated qualities that will serve her well in her new role.

A third-generation HBCU graduate, Utoia earned her bachelor’s degree in public management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She lives in Decatur with her husband and their child, a middle school student and aspiring Pixar animator.