James E. Lawson, Executive Director, MVA Foundation
James E. Lawson, a native Nashvillian, Jim graduated from Fisk University and began a distinguished career in community development. His professional highlights include becoming one of the first African-American Senior Vice Presidents of a major bank in Tennessee during his nearly 10 year career with Bank of America (formerly NationsBank). His career included 5 years as a professional business consultant and came to Vanderbilt as Director of Special programs within the Human Resource Department before joining the staff of the Alliance in June of 2002.Jim has served on the board of directors of many of Nashville’s most active community organizations and is currently in his 10th year as an appointed member of the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission and serving his 3rd Term as elected Chairman. He also serves on the Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation.
His leadership and management skills in creating partnerships to accomplish a joint vision are extremely important to the success of the Alliance. Dr. Clifton Meador, MD, Executive Director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance said “Jim Lawson’s addition to the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance has brought a wide set of experiences and skills that we did not have on our staff. Jim has served on the board of directors of many of Nashville’s most active community organizations including 15 years of service, 9 as chairman, as an appointed member of the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission. He currently serves on the Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation. In addition, he is well known in the business and banking community. Through his efforts and knowledge and contacts we will be able to let the broader community of Nashville know and understand what the Alliance really means: To understand and eliminate the health disparities between the minority and majority populations of this community”.
Jim and his wife, Judi, have 4 children and 7 grand children.