Nonprofit Center Named Callan Brown as CEO
The Jacksonville-based organization promoted the former interim CEO to a permanent leadership position.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in People
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The Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida has officially appointed Callan Brown as its new permanent CEO. Brown previously held the interim role at the Jacksonville-based organization for nearly three months.
Why it matters
The appointment ensures leadership continuity for the organization, which supports the nonprofit sector across Northeast Florida. Brown moves into the permanent role after serving on the staff for nearly a decade.
Callan Brown served as the interim CEO for a period beginning in July 2026, following the departure of the former leader who held the position for two years.
The players
Callan Brown
She is the newly appointed permanent CEO of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida who has been with the organization for nearly ten years.
Dawn Lockhart
She is the former CEO of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida who concluded her two-year tenure on June 30, 2026.
The details
The board selected Brown for the permanent position after a transition period following the retirement of Dawn Lockhart. Brown formerly served as the senior vice president of development, partnerships, and operations before stepping into the interim CEO vacancy.
Timeline
June 30, 2026: Dawn Lockhart retired as CEO.
July 2026: Callan Brown was named interim CEO.
September 23, 2026: Callan Brown was appointed permanent CEO.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the established pattern set by the 2026 transition of leadership at the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. The move stabilizes executive management within the local nonprofit sector following the recent departure of the former CEO.
Local nonprofits and community partners can expect continued engagement with the organization under Brown's leadership. The promotion of a longtime staff member suggests a focus on maintaining existing operational stability and local partnership programs.
The takeaway
Selecting an internal candidate for a top executive role often signals a commitment to established organizational culture and mission continuity. Stakeholders in the Northeast Florida nonprofit community should anticipate minimal disruption to ongoing services during this transition.
Further reading
For more updates on leadership shifts in the region, explore the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.
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