Dawn Emerick

About Dawn Emerick

Over a span of 30 years, I have crafted my executive leadership, organizational development, and change management skills at various private, government, and non-profit organizations in Florida, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon and Texas. I am a former CEO of two nonprofits and an appointed county and city government senior executive who has successfully planned, managed, and executed several enterprise-wide, complex organizational restructuring efforts using organizational design, design thinking, change management theory, and employee engagement. My leadership and \"do-no harm\" change management approach has produced [sustained] increases in employee morale by up to 10% and company revenue by 17%. I received the highest Gallup Employee Engagement Satisfaction Scores of among my executive leadership peers. Over the last four years with the Jacksonville Civic Council, I have worked with our CEO and more than 95 of Jacksonville\'s top private sector CEOs, to make Jacksonville a destination of choice for families and individuals, graduates and businesses. When I joined the Civic Council in 2021, I was asked by then CEO Jeanne Miller to provide senior level advising and support, help reinforce the organization’s structure and operations, assist with increasing awareness and member communications, fortify JCC’s policy and research credibility, and mentor young staff and student interns. In 20••••23, after a change in JCC leadership, I was tapped to lead a transformational strategic planning implementation process that elevated JCC into a more visible, strategic, and community-rooted force for civic progress.Originally from the DC / Maryland metropolitan area, I graduated from Frostburg State University. I am a two-time alumnus of the University of North Florida where I received both my Master’s and Doctorate. I am a Prosci® Certified Change Management Practitioner and Certified Mental Health First Aid trainer. As a community steward, I connect with other executives across the globe through my Leadership Uncensored podcast, national leadership speaking engagements / workshops, and serve as a part-time faculty member at the University of North Florida. I am also the founder and active member of the AttaGirl Giving Circle, a member of the Murray Hill Preservation Association Board of Directors, and the Jacksonville Chapter Coordinator of the American Pilgrims on the Camino.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President & Executive Director

   City Year Jacksonville

   Mar 2026 — Present

   The Senior Vice President & Executive Director plays an integral role in advocating for and advancing public education in Jacksonville through national service. The Executive Director creates impact, revenue, district partnership, and external relations and leads the effort to increase City Year\'s visibility and brand awareness across Northeast Florida. Key to the site\'s success, the Executive Director is a natural coalition-builder, people developer, and influencer who leads with tenacity and humility. Reporting to the Market President, the Executive Director is a visionary change agent and leads 15 staff and 60+ AmeriCorps members serving in 9 partner schools. Serving as the primary champion of City Year\'s impact locally, the Executive Director leads the organization\'s efforts to keep students in school and on track to graduate college and career ready. Additionally, the Executive Director works in partnership with the City Year Jacksonville\'s board, comprised of 14 influential leaders representing the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The Executive Director is accountable for an annual revenue budget of approximately $5 million, while simultaneously securing the resources necessary to ensure sustainability and growth.

Education

• University of North Florida

  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Social Marketing

  2004 — 2008

Skills

• Change Management
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Supervisory Skills
• Community Engagement
• Public Policy
• Budgeting
• Public Speaking
• Strategic Planning
• Strategy
• Process Improvement
• Operations Management
• Change Communications
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Health Advocacy
• Communication
• Team Building
• Management
• Program Management
• Leadership Development
• Staff Development
• Project Management
• Trauma Work
• Board of Directors