Building Pathways for Students and Communities

It’s Retail Lockbox, Inc.’s 30th anniversary, and company co-founder Craig Dawson (BA 1985) is making a surprise announcement at their Seattle headquarters. As a longtime Foster supporter, Dawson is expanding his commitment to the Foster School of Business. He’s announcing a new endowment to support educational experiences and opportunities for Black students through Foster’s Consulting and Business Development Center. 

Retail Lockbox specializes in remittance processing, credit card payments, and document management services. Its headquarters is just blocks away from where Craig grew up. He worked side-by-side with his wife, Joan Dawson (BA 1980), the company’s former CFO, who is now retired. 

Since co-founding Retail Lockbox with fellow Husky, Foster alum, and childhood friend Walt Townes in 1994, Craig has worked to support racial equity and provide pathways for people who face barriers to employment and career advancement to succeed. As a business leader, he believes strongly in “paying it forward.” 

Honoring Daisy Dawson

For Craig, creating the endowment is a way to honor his mother, Daisy Dawson (BS 1948). She moved from Alabama to Seattle to pursue a degree in education and attended the University of Washington as one of only 65 Black students. Her life and achievements are archived in the Special Collections Division of the UW Library system—the Daisy Tibbs Dawson Papers.   

“Doors were closed to my mother as a young Black woman, student, activist, and educator,” recalled Craig. “While much has changed, there are still inequities—and we must continue striving for change. I believe this gift will make a meaningful impact that my mother would have been proud of.” 

In his remarks to Retail Lockbox employees, Craig shared that the gift to Foster is made possible by the company’s success and the dedication of its employees. “This gift could only have happened because of all those who have contributed to Retail Lockbox over the past 30 years. It’s a testament to our people and our community.” 

Career Development Through

Experiential Learning 

The Consulting and Business Development Center accelerates students’ career development through experiential learning engagements while scaling businesses in underserved communities. In its first 30 years, more than 6,000 Foster students have leveraged this experience to secure their first jobs after graduation.  

As Dean Hodge shared, “Among our incoming students in 2023-24, over 50% were first-generation—they are from families where their parents didn’t go to college. These students didn’t have the benefit of asking a parent about their college experience. Experiential learning opportunities at the Consulting and Business Development Center provide a bridge. They help these students bring their aspirations to life and show them how their education can make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.”  

“We are deeply thankful to Craig, Joan, and the entire Retail Lockbox family for their endowment, which will not only help Foster students succeed but will hopefully inspire them to someday pay it forward in their own ways to help future generations,” he concluded. 

Learn more about the Consulting and Business Development Center.