Rutgers University Alumna Denise Nelson
Jennifer Jones Austin, Executive Director and CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), has announced the hiring of Denise Nelson as Chief Development and Communications Officer to assist with the organization’s mission to help New York City’s most vulnerable.
A longtime advocate in the nonprofit sector with a career spanning 19 years, Denise comes to FPWA with a wealth of experience in securing vital resources that will help increase the visibility and reach of the organization’s work and mission.
Prior to joining FPWA, Nelson led the development efforts for two leading educational organizations, Eagle Academy Foundation and PENCIL, and served as Associate Vice President of Major Gifts at United Way of New York City. There, she developed and managed a women’s leadership initiative, as well as launched an annual fundraiser and celebration of women leaders. She also served at Habitat for Humanity in New York City, managing corporate relations by strengthening partnerships with firms throughout a variety of business sectors and developing new volunteer programs for women, as well as for legal and real estate industries.
“In this new and exciting position, I am seeking to parlay my 18-plus years of experience by helping to grow and strengthen FPWA’s impact and fundraising growth,” said Nelson. “I am looking forward to working with FPWA to expand institutional giving and cultivate funding initiatives from untapped audiences.”
Denise is an alumna of Rutgers University, where she earned her B.A. in Political Science, and has participated in the Harvard University Business School Social Enterprise Program
