Miami, Florida – Friends of The Underline (FUL) Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors Meg Daly today announced a search for a successor CEO for the organization, a 501(c)3 nonprofit transforming 10 miles of underutilized land below Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, trail and public art destination. The new CEO will replace Ms. Daly, the founding CEO who has served in that role for a decade as a volunteer.  Daly will continue in her role as board chair. The FUL board has retained Diversified Search Group, an executive search and strategic consulting firm dedicated to leading mission-driven searches. The search will commence in early 2024 and will continue until the new CEO is appointed

“It has been an enormous privilege to lead The Underline project,” said Daly, “I have met and worked with remarkable leaders who believed in me, our vision and the potential in our community. Together we created a movement to make Miami more mobile, healthy and connected. In my capacity as board chair, I look forward to working alongside a new CEO who will continue and expand on our fundraising efforts as we grow to 10 miles.” 

During Daly’s tenure as CEO, she grew the Friends of The Underline board to 24 engaged members and built a dynamic team of 14 staff members.  She led fundraising and the creation of innovative partnerships to support the project’s operations, hundreds of free yearly community programs and events and free WiFi and pioneering technology initiatives.  

The new CEO will be responsible for the following:

• Public and private fundraising efforts to ensure short and long-term funding for ongoing Underline operations, maintenance, programs and public art. 
• Delivering the goals of the organization’s 5-year strategic plan and ambitious mission to transform Miami-Dade County mobility, resiliency and community. 
• Securing and nurturing transparent, enduring relationships with donors, elected officials, administration and partners from the local to the national level. 
• Reporting to FUL board of directors and overseeing a growing fundraising staff to support growing fundraising goals. 
• Working closely with the Friends of The Underline president to ensure delivery of The Underline Phase 2 and quality construction of Phase 3, ongoing free community programs, a quality public art program, and first-class facilities and maintenance.  

“Meg was the catalyst for this incredible project, securing over $140 million for construction from Miami Dade County, USDOT, the State of Florida, the cities of Miami and Coral Gables as well as securing over $20 million in private funding for hundreds of community programs and events,” says Rudy Touzet, Friends of The Underline Vice Chairman,  “the board is thrilled to continue to have her leadership and excited to have a new CEO who will take us through and beyond this next phase of growth.”

About The Underline

Friends of The Underline is a 501C3 non-profit organization transforming the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and canvas for artistic expression to create a safer, healthier, more connected and sustainable, mobile, and engaged community. For more information visit www.theunderline.org and Like and Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram @theunderlinemia.