Velva Dawson

Nominated Position: Vice President for Finance
Nominated by: Self
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science | Year Awarded: 1996
Current HUAA Role: HUAA Fundraising Chair

Velva Dawson’s commitment to Howard University is longstanding and deeply rooted in service. She is currently serving as Fundraising Chair for the Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA) and brings extensive leadership experience from past roles, including President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the New Jersey Alumni Club, HUAA Region 1 Representative, and CUP Lead.

Since her appointment as Fundraising Chair, she has supported coordinated fundraising efforts across regions, delivering measurable results. She is also Co‐Chair of the HUAC of NJ and Greater New York Golf Fundraising Scholarship Committee, raising over $80,000 in funding to support incoming Freshmen. Her approach combines disciplined financial oversight, donor engagement, and data‐driven planning to strengthen alumni giving.

In parallel with her alumni leadership, Velva brings senior‐level financial expertise from Johnson & Johnson, where she plays a key role in the company’s global charitable giving operations. She is responsible for establishing governance and operational controls, managing Foundation funding flows, and helping to design the company’s first enterprise‐wide system for grant administration, reporting, and employee giving. Her work advances transparency, strengthens compliance, and increases the impact of global initiatives serving underserved communities.

Previously, Velva served as Chief Operations Officer of the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, where she led maternal and child health programs and operational strategy across diverse programs, supporting sustainable growth and mission delivery. Velva has over twenty years of experience working across corporate and nonprofit organizations, with a record of stewardship and accountability. Her career is defined by managing complex, multi‐million‐dollar programs and translating strategy into financial execution.

In addition, she currently serves as Treasurer of the Rutgers Community Health Foundation, overseeing a $6 million community grant portfolio.

Velva Dawson’s blend of professional finance leadership, proven fundraising performance, and alumni service position her to serve as Vice President of Finance, HUAA.