Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, Inc. (JA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young people to succeed in a rapidly changing economy, announced today that Dawn Edwards has been named Senior Vice President of Development.
Edwards will oversee Junior Achievement’s fundraising efforts, including donor relations, grant writing, and special events, with a focus on expanding the organization’s donor base and increasing revenue to support Junior Achievement’s mission. Edwards returns to Junior Achievement after previously serving as its Director of Foundations and Individuals.
“Dawn is a seasoned pro who has deep connections in the Baltimore region and has a track record of success raising money and acquiring grants,” said Paul Kappel Jr., President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Maryland. “Her expertise and strategic approach to development will be instrumental in advancing our mission and securing the resources needed to continue our impactful work.”
Edwards has more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, having held development roles across various organizations.
Prior to joining Junior Achievement, Edwards was the Director of Partners in Excellence Scholarship Program and Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations at the Archdiocese of Baltimore, where she consistently raised $2 million to $3 million annually.
From 2019 to 2022, she joined Junior Achievement of Central Maryland and was named Director of Foundation & Individual Giving in December 2021. From 2019 to 2021 Edwards oversaw the submission and stewardship of over 70 grants annually for JA.
Edwards graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University with a B.A. in Political Science and holds a Master of Public Administration, degree from the University of Delaware.
About Junior Achievement of Central Maryland
Junior Achievement of Central Maryland (JA) inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Since 1957, JA has been a leader in providing authentic and engaging experiential learning focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. By bridging the gap between education and business, JA connects students with dedicated volunteers and mentors to provide relevant life skills needed to succeed and thrive in today’s world. As part of the world’s largest organization devoted to youth empowerment, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland has positively impacted over a million Marylanders. For more information, visit www.jamaryland.org.
