A Connection from the Heart

Alumna Dee Dixon is Georgia Red Cross CEO

When Dee Dixon (’88) began her first Red Cross job as chief development officer, she wasn’t sure how long she would stay. Dixon was uncertain that she was cut out to move from the corporate world to the nonprofit world.

Then Hurricane Michael came.

Dixon and a handful of Red Cross executives and volunteers traveled from Atlanta to south Georgia to assess the situation caused by Michael and provide food and water to the devastated area.

“We were warned to get gas before we reached the area because all the stations were closed,” said Dixon.

After pulling over in an abandoned parking lot to view a map of the area, the Red Cross team began to hear tapping on the windows of their SUV. They turned around and saw a line of cars behind them and people from the cars tapping on the window.

“They said, ‘You guys are the Red Cross,’” Dixon recalled. “‘We’re so hungry. Do you have food? Do you have any water? My neighbor’s son is disabled and they have no food or water. Can you come with us into our community?’”

The Red Cross delegation followed them in and rolled out of the car with the needed supplies.

“I knew right then that the Red Cross is more than blood and floods,” said Dixon. “When I saw the care for the communities impacted by the disaster, it tugged on my heart. I felt like, ‘OK, I’ll probably be at the Red Cross a little bit longer.’”

Now, that little bit longer has turned into four years.

Appointed CEO of the American Red Cross of Georgia this past June, Dixon has been involved in it all, from fundraising to blood drives and disasters. In this role, she’ll oversee the organization that serves more than 10 million people and helps to ensure a safe and ready blood supply.

The Georgia Southern Connection

The former homecoming queen and cheerleader from Metter, Georgia, has come a long way since graduating from Georgia Southern with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Dixon was able to get her first post-graduation job quickly at MCI Telecommunications in Atlanta, thanks in part to Georgia Southern’s reputation.

“I remember that the hiring manager at MCI said they wouldn’t have hired me, but my college degree was from Georgia Southern, a reputable and good school,” said Dixon. “That was a pretty big deal to get hired by a big name company right after college.”

When Dixon was interviewing at the Red Cross, she found the hiring manager was a Georgia Southern graduate, too.

“He saw that I was a fit for the Red Cross but it was the ‘Southern’ connection that sealed the deal,” admitted Dixon. “My Georgia Southern degree has served as a tiebreaker when competing for a new position and hands-down makes you more marketable.”

When she isn’t working, Dixon likes to cook and travel with her husband Kennedy (‘88) and her two college graduate daughters, Kyra and Kayla. But her favorite hobby is karaoke. She even has her own machine.

“My family does not appreciate karaoke like I do,” Dixon says with a laugh.

Dixon’s love for all things Georgia Southern is obvious and the University has made a meaningful impact on her life and career.

“There is a lot of pride being a Georgia Southern graduate,” said Dixon.

When asked what one thing people should know about her, Dixon answers quickly.

“I think life is a mentorship. I love helping people, especially young women. And I think that because someone helped me and modeled what success is, that’s why I’ve come as far as I have.” — Liz Walker