As a strategic partnership development executive with over 25 years of experience,Dawn bridges the critical gap between emerging industry needs and workforce development. Her career has been dedicated to building transformative collaborations across technology sectors, with expertise in battery systems, sustainability solutions, and smart manufacturing.
Throughout her executive roles at CellBlockfcs, Cirba Solutions, and GLR Solutions, Dawn has developed corporate partnership networks while creating pathways for emerging talent. Her approach is rooted in understanding that today’s challenges—from sustainable energy storage to circular economy solutions—require professionals equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills.
What drives Dawn’s commitment to academia is the recognition that education must create real-world value. My experience developing training programs, managing internships, and serving as a thought leader at major industry conferences reinforces my dedication to fostering inclusive learning environments where students connect classroom theory to market realities.
My expertise in strategic leadership, government relations, and cross-sector collaboration—honed through board positions with the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment and advisory roles with The Battery Show, Vesco Clean Energy, and Kton—positions me to create educational experiences that unlock significant value for both students and industry partners.
Outside my professional pursuits, I remain deeply committed to community engagement through organizations like Greening of Detroit and Riverfront Conservancy. I’m a proud mother of 2 college age students, one at WMU and one at U of M. On weekends you’ll find me cheering for the Detroit Lions or heavily working in my garden.