Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Ohio Commission on Minority Health, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Vilcek Foundation
Angela Dawson, Director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health, Columbus, OH
The Ohio Commission on Minority Health was the nation’s first state office of minority health in response to the disparity in health status between minority and nonminority populations.
The Commission funds programs that are innovative, culturally sensitive and specific in their approach toward reduction of the incidence and severity of the diseases or conditions which are responsible for excess morbidity and mortality in minority populations.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland appointed Angela Cornelius Dawson as the director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, March 2007 – January 2011. She served as the first African American director and was responsible for a staff of over 100 employees and an annual budget of $193 million.
Prior to her appointment to ODADAS, Dawson served as the executive director of Project Linden, Inc., a private non-profit outpatient alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention services center in Franklin County for twenty years.
Dawson received her bachelor's degree in rehabilitation education, a master's degree in counseling and guidance and second master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from Wright State University.
Darius Maynard, Program Officer, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Macon, GA
The Community Foundation of Central Georgia envisions a Central Georgia where philanthropy thrives, communities are strong, and citizens work toward common goals. The foundation is widely known for outstanding personal service to donors, strong financial management, effective grantmaking, positive community leadership, and collaboration with donors, other grantmakers, and nonprofits.
Founded in 1993, CFCG serves 21 counties by providing donors with a simple, powerful, approach to giving and enhancing the quality of life for the people of Central Georgia.
CFCG also provides nonprofit organizations with grants from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia’s Nonprofit Grant Program.
Darius manages the foundation’s competitive grantmaking programs along with other initiatives. Working closely with local nonprofits in accomplishing their missions, he plays a key role to advance the mission of the foundation: transforming communities and advocating for positive and sustainable social change.
In addition, Darius chairs the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections, serves on the board for Communities in Schools and the Macon Arts Alliance.
Darius is a graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Masters Degree in Public Administration.
Elizabeth Boylan, Grants Officer, Vilcek Foundation, New York, NY
The Vilcek Foundation, established in 2000, raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences through prizes, grants, and an art collection. The foundation champions diversity, awarding over $8.7 million in prizes for immigrant artists and scientists and supporting organizations with over $6.8 million in grants.
Elizabeth Boylan has been with the foundation since 2019, serving first as communications manager then grants and communications officer. She now spearheads the exciting expansion of the organization’s grants program, portfolio, and initiatives. In this role, she also manages the foundation’s institutional memberships with industry organizations including Grantmakers in the Arts, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, and Philanthropy New York.
Prior to joining the Vilcek Foundation, Boylan was the associate director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School, leading program development and fundraising initiatives for the Center and its affiliated projects. She honed her interest in digital media and the role of technology in nonprofits working with the Tow Center for Digital Journalism.
Boylan holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, with a specialization in advanced management and finance.
Angela Richardson, Senior Trainer, The Grantsmanship Center
Angela brings more than 20 years' experience as a nonprofit program and fund developer, strategic planner, and organizational coach. As senior trainer, Angela has coached other trainers for The Grantsmanship Center and trained staff for nonprofit organizations, school districts, governments, faith-based organizations, and colleges and universities. She brings additional expertise in education and the arts, recently delivering a virtual workshop for Broward County Cultural Division, FL as part of the Business Skills for Creatives series. Angela has facilitated many in-person Meet-the-Grantmaker panels in Los Angeles for PROJECT GRANTSMANSHIP and for the City of Los Angles, city council members. Recently, Angela trained faculty and community-based nonprofit leaders as part of a Research Proposal Workshop sponsored by UCLA Health Sciences.
