Make-A-Wish America announced the appointment of Whitney Eichinger, senior vice president and chief communications officer of Southwest Airlines, and Kate Gebo, executive vice president of human resources and labor relations at United Airlines, to its national board of directors. Eichinger and Gebo are recognized leaders in their fields, with extensive experience shaping enterprise strategy for two of the wish-granting organization’s long-time airline partners. With more than 75% of wishes involving air travel, Eichinger and Gebo bring valuable, industry-specific knowledge in addition to impressive professional backgrounds.
Eichinger leads marketing, communications, and culture at Southwest Airlines, where she unites teams to deliver transparent and innovative communications while supporting a highly engaged workforce recognized for exceptional hospitality. Her prior roles include vice president of culture and engagement, where she focused on strengthening Southwest’s renowned culture. Eichinger also directed the airline’s public relations efforts, managing media relations and issues management. With over two decades in communications, she is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and a trustee for the Institute for Public Relations.
Gebo leads a global team of over 500 professionals transforming United Airlines’ culture. Her responsibilities include enhancing employee experience, recruiting and developing top talent, and building effective teams to prioritize customer satisfaction. She has previously served as senior vice president of customer service delivery and chief customer officer and vice president for the CEO’s office, where she coordinated strategic initiatives with the executive team. With a career at United that began in 1998, Kate holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul University and a master’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago.
“We are honored to welcome Kate and Whitney to our national board,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “Their remarkable leadership and deep commitment to community will be transformative for our mission, helping us deliver hope and joy to even more children facing critical illnesses throughout the country.”
The national board now consists of 21 members, each with knowledge in various sectors such as finance, fundraising, management, marketing, and operations. Together, they are committed to fulfilling the Make-A-Wish mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. These wishes are an essential part of a child’s medical journey, providing hope, joy, and improved quality of life.
Make-A-Wish America operates 57 chapters nationwide, each supported by its chapter board of directors dedicated to local initiatives and impact.
