New Nonprofit Center CEO in Jacksonville: Here's what we know about Rena Coughlin's heir

After a national search, the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida has named Dawn Lockhart, a longtime leader in the local nonprofit sector, as its next CEO.

Lockhart, most recently director of strategic partnerships for former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, will succeed Rena Coughlin who is retiring after 18 years at the helm.

"We chose our new CEO … because of her vision to inspire positive change," board chairwoman Lisa V. Johnson said. "Dawn’s proven commitment, strategic mindset, passion for our mission and extensive reach into the local nonprofit sector convinced us that she is the catalyst needed to lead our organization toward greater impact and success."

What experience does Dawn Lockhart bring?

Lockhart has worked in the nonprofit sector since 1984 and served on numerous boards and committees, including the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling board of trustees.

She worked 34 years for the nonprofit Family Foundations of Northeast Florida, which provides mental health, financial and housing counseling, asset building, financial literacy education and advocacy services. She held numerous positions there from 1982 to 2016, including 12 years as president and CEO, according to her LinkedIn page.

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What did Dawn Lockhart do at City Hall?

During her 2016 to 2023 city government stint, she was the inaugural director of strategic partnerships. In that job, she led a "shared civic agenda for the private, public and philanthropic sectors," developing partnerships, collaborations and program policy reforms, according to a biography on the center website.

Earlier this year, the public-philanthropic partnership was recognized as a national model by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Council on Foundations.

Lockhart also led the inaugural Mayor’s Downtown Homeless Taskforce and the multisector 2019 and 2022 Jacksonville Housing Strategy Summits. She advanced affordable housing strategies, using the Jacksonville Community Land Trust, and led analysis of $1.5 billion in City Hall quality-of-life investments and published the results on a new website.

When does the leadership transition begin at the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida?

Lockhart will work with Coughlin and center staff beginning Monday and officially become CEO Jan. 2.

"As a longtime member and partner of the Nonprofit Center, I am proud to follow in the footsteps of such an amazing legacy of leadership," she said. "Continuing to champion and advance the high performance of the nonprofit sector, through advocacy, innovation, strategic partnerships and results, is the most important work ahead to ensure all communities, neighborhoods, families and individuals can thrive."

What are Rena Coughlin's plans?

Coughlin does not plan to pursue another job or career opportunity but she and her husband will likely travel. She said she was "delighted" about Lockhart's hiring.

"Dawn has the experience and credibility to take on the role of the local sector’s advocate. She understands our sector, our region and our strengths," she said.

Why are nonprofits important?

Northeast Florida has 1,832 nonprofits with 48,399 employees who provide a range of services from neighborhood revitalization to senior care, and collectively generate $14.4 billion in revenue.

Statewide, Florida has 22,710 nonprofits with 456,800 employees. They pay annual wages of $27.5 million and collectively generate about $116 billion in revenue.

In employment size, the nonprofit sector is 5% of the state workforce. The largest nonprofit sub-sector is health care-related nonprofits at 43%, or 197,900 employees.

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What does the center do for nonprofits?

Launched in 2002, the center has provided about 2,100 programs for about 47,000 people. It has returned $1.7 million to area nonprofits through its donation platform, WeGive.org, and through a ticket-sales partnership with the Jaguars. Also, the center provides a LGBTQI+ Organizational Inventory and Resource Guide for area nonprofits, as well as resources for disaster and emergency planning.

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville-based Nonprofit Center names Dawn Lockhart new CEO