Business Development and Political Leader
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\nThe topic - Unlocking 250th Profits
\nRegardless of your business sector\, the 250^th celebration in April and beyond provides opportunities for your organization. \; \;
\nWe will look at the history of the bicentennial and the sustained boost in visitorship that followed and explore how the Town is better serving businesses.
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\nDawn is an innovative business development and political leader with proven organizational expertise in municipal government\, tourism\, start-ups\, pharmaceutical R&\;D\, real estate and the non-profit space. The daughter of a Navy veteran who helped create and pass the landmark Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Act\, she has always been a small advocate at heart. Throughout her 30-year career in Town Meeting\, Dawn has utilized her entrepreneurial spirit and understanding of local issues to implement policies that fostered economic development in Lexington. In the private sector\, Dawn has owned a real estate business and served as an executive of a pharmaceutical R&\;D company in Lexington.
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\nA resident since her childhood\, and a student of American History\, it was no coincidence that showcasing Lexington as &ldquo\;The Birthplace of American Liberty&rdquo\; became a passion for Dawn. While serving on the Select Board\, Dawn focused her efforts on investing in tourism. She went on to serve on Lexington&rsquo\;s Tourism Committee for nearly 20 years as a member and chair. \; Through public-private partnerships\, Dawn pioneered two major investments in the visitor-based economy\, which led to the town&rsquo\;s award-winning Liberty Ride and the new Visitors Center. She also had the vision to invest in the needed staffing to meet the influx of visitors created by these projects and built a coalition of support for additional investment for the town to convert visitors&rsquo\; services to paid town employees. \;
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\nWhile welcoming visitors from across the globe to Lexington is a passion of hers\, Dawn recognizes that doing so is vital to making the town more affordable for residents and better for our businesses. She advocated the town to make room in the budget for an Economic Development Officer and has remained a leader in creating innovative policies that stimulate economic growth and lower costs for residents. In 2011 Dawn was presented with the Civic Leadership Award from the Chamber of Commerce. She also received the Thomas F. McKay Tourism Leadership Award from the Greater Merrimack Convention &\; Visitors Bureau.
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\nA mother of two and a dedicated Boston sports fan\, Dawn first met her future husband while in second grade at the old Franklin Elementary School. While attending Lexington High School (Class of &lsquo\;76) she was Class Treasurer and helped to start the school&rsquo\;s renowned debate team. Dawn went on to Wheaton College where she graduated with a degree in American history and American government and holds a graduate Certificate in Administration and Management from Harvard.

Dawn McKenna

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