Dawn Lockhart is CEO of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. Prior to her current role, she was appointed as the inaugural Director of Strategic Partnerships for Mayor Lenny Curry in 2016, where she was responsible for developing a shared agenda between the private sector, philanthropy, nonprofits, and government.   Working across all sectors, Ms. Lockhart developed strategic partnerships to facilitate innovative collaborations and program policy reforms resulting in better outcomes for all citizens. Prior to her appointment, she served on the Mayor- elect Economic Development Transition Team.

She previously served as President and CEO of Family Foundations of Northeast Florida, Inc., a nonprofit corporation which provides financial and housing counseling, asset building, financial literacy education, and advocacy services to families in northeast Florida. During her service, she designed and launched 1000 in 1000 and Wise Money Week.

Ms. Lockhart currently serves on the Lift Jax Steering Committee, as an advisor to the Jacksonville Community Land Trust and is a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network. She recently served as a member of the boards of directors of the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the JaxChamber Board of Governors, and the Jacksonville Women’s Network. She is a former Chair of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), Board of Trustees and United Way Agency Directors Association.

Ms. Lockhart received a BS in social work from Florida State University and holds a certificate from the Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute, Center for the Study of Voluntary Organization and Service, Professional Continuing Education Studies. She consults with local and national nonprofits to advance their impact and governance strategies and is a Community Coach with the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.

She was awarded the 2021 City Rescue Mission Difference Maker Award and has been recognized with the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities National Partnership Award, the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Dollar Wise Award, the NFCC Housing Impact of the Year Award, the NFCC Making a Difference Member Award and Mayor’s Commission of the Status of Women.