Dawn is a storyteller and truth-teller with 25 years’ experience in journalism, communications and marketing, and executive leadership. Most recently, she was vice president of communications at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, a national advocacy organization that fights for racial and economic justice.

Earlier in her career, Dawn led communications at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. She also served as director of communications at StriveTogether, a national network that supports communities in building the civic infrastructure necessary to transform systems, shape opportunity, and improve cradle-to-career outcomes. She led communications and rebranding efforts at IFF, the largest community development financial institution in the Midwest. While at a global marketing and internet services company, Dawn oversaw the launch and management of more than 130 community magazines in 11 states. She started out in local news.

Dawn is known as a brazen bibliophile and proud pup parent. As a kid, her favorite word was why. It’s no surprise Dawn spent over a decade in journalism, elevating community voice and holding the powerful accountable. Since leaving the newsroom, she has worked in business, government, and nonprofits.

Dawn’s mission in life is equity and justice. She was a board member for Woman Made Gallery and the Association for Women Journalists-Chicago. She also mentored high school girls in theater criticism at Goodman Theatre for 10 years. Dawn graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor of arts in English and a minor in women’s studies. She enjoys writing poetry and fiction, scrutinizing pop culture, and hanging out with her dog, Phoebe.