Stewardship is “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” As DGA’s founder, my goal is to partner with individuals, the philanthropic community, non-profit organizations, and businesses that operate with a stewardship mindset– taking care of vital institutions and organizations that serve our society, elevate our humanity and improve the quality of life. We work with and develop leaders that are committed to preserving and advancing organizations committed to creating positive change. Our work is at the intersection of civic engagement, community empowerment, arts and social change. Stewardship is our guiding principle. Impact is what we are committed to helping our clients achieve. Legacy is what inspired vision and disciplined effort can accomplish.
Amina Dickerson draws on leadership experience over a 35 year career in the non-profit, corporate and philanthropy sectors. As Senior Director at Kraft Foods she headed multi-national philanthropic programs in hunger relief, the arts, domestic violence and education. Among other executive posts she served with the National Museum of African Art at Smithsonian Institution, Chicago Historical Society and the DuSable Museum of African American History. She began her career as a theater artist with Living Stage at Arena Stage, in Washington DC. Throughout her career she has worked extensively as a grant reviewer, speaker, facilitator and board member.
Dickerson studied theater at Emerson College, holds a certificate in arts management from Harvard University, and a M.A. in arts management from the American University in Washington, D.C. Additionally, she trained and has been certified by the Global Business Network, Center for Creative Leadership, Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and the Leadership Circle. She is a member of the International Coaching Federation, which has awarded her the Associate Certified Credential (ACC) for her work. Her board service includes The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, the Woods Fund of Chicago, the Women’s Funding Network, the Legacy Fund of the Chicago Community Trust, the Leadership Advisory Council of the Art Institute of Chicago and Ellen Stone Belic Institute for Women and Gender in the Arts and Media at Columbia College. Previously, she served as Distinguished Visitor with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and a Newberry Library fellow and as board member for the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, Donor’s Forum of Chicago and the Chicago High School for the Arts.
Her work has been recognized with awards from the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Chicago Women in Philanthropy, Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, among numerous other civic honors. In 2009 she was added to the HistoryMakers national video archives of outstanding African American leaders and was named to The Network Journal’s Class of 25 Influential Black Women in Business. She was inducted into American University Alumni Hall of Fame in 2008.
DGA works in two spheres– coaching and consulting. As a coach, founder Amina Dickerson is especially committed to cultivating next generation leadership and coaching organizations through leadership transitions. DGA works independently and in partnership with associates on consulting efforts that range from scenario thinking, organization and program development, to strategic partnerships and designing signature and other funding initiatives. DGA also works with senior leaders, business professionals and social/civic organizations in areas of leadership advancement, talent development, transition and succession planning.
DGA: Dynamic Ideas, Global Perspective, Aspirational Strategy.
DGA is an accomplished and diverse team of collaborators. A specialized team is constructed to suit the particular needs of each engagement.