RONALD R. LAWSON
Children's Rescue Fund
Bronx,NY
26
years of professional experience
Accomplished Chief Operating Officer with 20+ years of expertise in operational strategy, financial management, and service expansion across nonprofit sector. Demonstrated success in securing multi-million dollar funding, enhancing operational efficiencies, and maintaining rigorous regulatory compliance. Known for driving sustainable growth and aligning operations with organizational goals to achieve impactful results.
Work History
Managing Director
3 Years 11 Months- Provided financial management, accounting, administrative management, strategic planning, program development and fundraising consulting. Clients included Columbia University, the Archdiocese of New York, One Hundred Black Men Inc. and Garth Fagan Dance.
Senior Director of Business Affairs
1 Year 3 Months- Managed finance, human resources, information technology, legal administration, facilities, theater/studio rentals, and the Ailey Extension Program.
Northeast Regional Director
5 Years 11 Months- Managed all 501c Services activities in the Northeast including growing the Northeast office from a start-up to a $50M organization payroll within 5 years; assisted the president with board development including identifying 3 board members; developed a regional marketing plan and created strategic alliances with national nonprofit organizations; represented 501c Services at national and regional conferences of nonprofit organizations. Enrolled organizations with largest payroll, companywide for 3 consecutive years.
Chief Operations Officer
1 Year 6 Months- Directed daily Operations, IT, Human Resources, CQI and Facilities Management functions supporting 3,000 New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
- Streamlined workflows to improve service delivery, staff coordination, and cross-department accountability.
- Oversaw department budgets, and resource allocation to align spending with organizational priorities.
- Monitored compliance with nonprofit policies, licensing requirements, and regulatory standards.
- As a member of the C-Suite I partnered with executive leadership to execute strategic initiatives and operational improvements. I also led the creation of the organization's first strategic plan.
- Championed a culture of continuous improvement, fostering collaboration between departments for optimal operational results.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
Chief Operating Officer
8 Years 4 Months- Newly created position. Responsible for leading and managing a comprehensive array of administrative services including:
- Operations
- Human resources, recruiting and hiring
- Facilities management
- Project management of new initiatives
- Risk management
- Emergency preparedness
- Non-clinical credentialing
- Business continuity, and
- Insurance and other operations that are required to effectively and efficiently support the agency
- New business development
Director, Finance and Administration
1 Year- Business partner with CEO collaboratively managing financial, budgeting and administrative processes for a start-up nonprofit with a $10 million capital budget and $5 million operating budget.
- Responsibilities included:
- Establishing and implementing the financial infrastructure, accounting system and managing all financial transactions
- Designing and implementing financial policy, a procedures manual and proper fiscal internal controls
- Preparing monthly and quarterly financial reports for the CEO and Board of Directors
- Creating and managing an effective annual budget process
- Designing and implementing a comprehensive employee benefits program and a personnel manual
- Managing the payroll function
- Managing the annual audit and 990 preparation
- Administrative operations including human resources, legal & IT
Chief Operating Officer
1 Year- Newly created position. Responsible for overseeing all finance and facility operations of high performing Bronx charter school.
- Managed the following:
- The budget, accounts receivable, general ledger and all other accounting functions
- Financial reporting to NYC DOE, NYS DOE and other regulators
- Compliance with city and state authorizers and bond investors requirements
- Annual audit and 990 preparation
- Seamless daily school operations including security, maintenance and IT, and
- Assisted the CEO with development efforts
- Supervised construction of new $12M school facility
Business Manager/Corporate Secretary
1 Year- Appointed by the Cardinal to newly created position to oversee the daily operation of 15 K-8 schools in Manhattan.
- Preparing and managing a $30M operating budget
- Managing all financial activities of schools
- Overseeing all infrastructure and capital improvements
- Developing an enhanced service delivery for 4,000 students and 300 teachers
- Developing a regional strategic plan
- Overseeing and managing all Board of Directors activities, and
- Assisting the Board Chair with Board development.
Education
Professional Accounting Certificate
M.S. - Public Policy and Management
B.A. - Political Science
Skills
Operations management
Staff management
Quality assurance
Team collaboration
Strategic planning
Project management
Strategic partnerships
Accomplishments
- Expansion of Services:
- Launched new health centers and homeless shelters increasing CFH's revenue by $20 million and access to healthcare for underserved populations.
- Grew CFH's geographic footprint to all 5 boroughs of NYC and added specialized services like dental services, telehealth and substance abuse programs.
- Financial Stewardship:
- Secured multi-million dollar grants (e.g. $15 million in NYS Health Facility Transformation grants).
- Played a key role in CFH's first acquisition of real estate by building a purpose-built shelters, and se haven totaling $56 million in investments.
- Oversaw budgeting and resource allocation of $40 million, achieving significant savings or improving cost-effectiveness.
- Constantly implemented operational improvements that reduced costs and streamlined processes.
- Strengthened the organization's cybersecurity protocols, implementing data encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security training, reducing security risks and ensuring HIPAA compliance.
Affiliations
- College of the Holy Cross Board of Trustees Member
- College of the Holy Cross Alumni Association Board Member (Senate)
- Project Performing Arts (Board Member)
- YMCA of Greater New York Camping Services (former Board Member, former Vice Chair)
- Columbia University School of Oral and Dental Surgery Advisory Committee Member (former)
Timeline
Chief Operations Officer
Children's Rescue Fund
04.2025 - CurrentRead More
Chief Operating Officer
Care for the Homeless
08.2016 - 12.2024Read More
Director, Finance and Administration
National Winter Activity Center
01.2015 - 01.2016Read More
Chief Operating Officer
International Leadership Charter High School
01.2014 - 01.2015Read More
Business Manager/Corporate Secretary
Archdiocese of New York, Catholic School Region of Manhattan
01.2013 - 01.2014Read More
Managing Director
Lawson Consulting Associates
02.2009 - 01.2013Read More
Senior Director of Business Affairs
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation
10.2007 - 01.2009Read More
Northeast Regional Director
501c Services
01.2001 - 12.2006Read More
College of the Holy Cross
B.A. from Political Science
Read More
Carnegie Mellon University
M.S. from Public Policy and Management
Read More
Northwestern University
Professional Accounting Certificate
Read More
Personal Information
Title: Chief Operating Officer