About

Romanita Hairston

Leader | Business Developer | Social Sector Expert

President & CEO, M. J. Murdock Charitable
Trust President & Founder, MORE320

Working with diverse stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to society’s biggest challenges.

As Chief Executive Officer, Romanita oversees all activities (grantmaking, investments, programs, and operations) of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, a private, nonprofit foundation serving the Pacific Northwest since 1975. An accomplished team builder, convener, and leader, Romanita draws on more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit, for-profit, philanthropic, and board service sectors to help steward the mission of the foundation.

A graduate of the University of Washington, Hairston began her career in the nonprofit sector at World Vision, the largest child-focused private charity in the world. Over 20 years, Hairston gained a deep understanding of nonprofit service, management, and leadership as she held a variety of roles, including a decade as vice president of US programs.

In 2016 she entered the philanthropic sector, joining the Murdock Trust as a program director. During her tenure, Hairston walked alongside dozens of nonprofit leaders as they pursued capacity-building grants with the charitable trust. In addition, Hairston collaborated with Murdock Trust staff, partners, and community organizations to develop programs and convenings designed to serve the diverse needs of the Pacific Northwest.

Hairston would move to the for-profit sector and join Microsoft in 2018, where she focused on the future of work and learning. In her role, she led a global skilling efforts focused on improving employability through technical skilling and workforce partnerships. Hairston worked to build capacity across Microsoft’s solution areas for its global customer, partner, and future generation audiences.

Romanita managed complex cross-organizational stakeholder relationships at the executive level, translating business objectives into scalable learning solutions that supported Microsoft’s cloud-first transformation and technology adoption strategies. She implemented systems and operational improvements that enhanced program maturity and measurably increased certification adoption rates globally.

Hairston earned an MBA in global development and nonprofit management from Eastern University in Philadelphia

Romanita in Ministry

Romanita has spent over two decades working in ministry. She accepted the call to preach and teach the gospel while still in college. Her calling has given her the ability to be a witness to the power of the gospel to transform through our words and our actions. Romanita has worked with individuals and families living in under-resourced communities over her 25+ year career. She has seen the power of positive relationships, mission-centered churches, supportive families and strong community systems in improving the lives of children. She believes in the power of purposeful collective action to end poverty, fight injustice and build a better world for children.

Romanita leads with a conviction that “we all give back by starting where we are with what we have to achieve sustainable solutions to poverty here and around the world.” She has dedicated her life, professionally and personally, to achieve more sustainable solutions to the seemingly intractable challenges we face here and around the world.

This drive to “give back” led to 20 years of service with World Vision domestic programs that included 10 years leading all domestic operations. She now serves as the President and Founder of MORE320 and as a Director at Microsoft. Romanita says, “These two roles allow me to combine many of my passions and interests. It’s a perfect combination.”

Romanita believes, “it is important to demonstrate service beyond one’s paid vocation when you are asking others to do the same. We should always be willing to fulfill the call we make to others.” This has led to a vibrant life of local volunteerism and service. She is part of the preaching team in her local church and she has held numerous roles in church leadership from Children’s Church Director to youth leader to Elder.

Romanita is a national spokesperson on issues related to poverty and child well-being, missional theology and spiritual formation focused heavily on women. Romanita holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Washington as well as an MBA from Eastern University of Philadelphia. She currently serves on the board of Urban Alliance, The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute, Praxis, and Global Women.

An academic all-star in college, Romanita was accepted to law school and into a PhD program, but her heart was calling her to help children change their lives. Romanita is now pursuing a Ph.D. in theology through Trinity University in the UK.