Yolanda Owens
Project Director
In her over twenty-year career to date, Yolanda has blended a diverse background of corporate, higher education and volunteer experience into a successful offering perfect for Convergent and its clients.
As a volunteer leader with the Jackson State University (JSU) National Alumni Association, she led the national board of directors to accomplish several goals including becoming a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The successes of this rewarding experience led to an eventual career shift from corporate America to nonprofit fundraising in Higher Education.
In concurrent roles as Interim Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement at JSU, she focused on capacity building, strengthening donor relations, developing the case for support, and establishing a more robust stewardship plan.
As Executive Director of the JSU Foundation, she served as liaison between the board of directors and the university president while managing daily operations that included administration of 500+ annual and endowed scholarships.
Yolanda lives in Jackson, MS and enjoys spending time with family when she is not traveling. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and continues to volunteer with the JSU National Alumni Association.
Summary of Experience
- Led JSU foundation to a 25% increase in fundraising in one fiscal year and had oversight of a $40 million endowment.
- Spearheaded a 65% increase in alumni giving and $800,000 in endowments through local alumni chapters
- Earned the Certificate of Fundraising Management, from the Lilly School of Philanthropy
- Master of Business Administration – Belhaven University (Dec 2024)
- BS, Civil Engineering Technology – Kennesaw State University
- BS, Mathematics – Jackson State University