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Dawn is a troublemaker, bleeding heart, designer by trade, and do-gooder by nature. Two things she likes: ideas and people. She’s been known to put them together in a room, just to see what happens.

Since starting Firebelly in 1999, she’s been diligent about seeking out fearless allies and building communities that care, both within and beyond the studio. She’s founded numerous programs, including Reason to Give, a nonprofit serving Humboldt Park families; Camp Firebelly, an intensive design apprenticeship; and Firebelly University, an incubator for aspiring social entrepreneurs. She created AIGA Chicago’s esteemed Mentor Program and co-founded Typeforce to shine more light on emerging local talent. In 2003, she launched the Grant for Good, an annual award providing a year of free design services to one nonprofit.

Under her tenure, the studio has earned a laundry list of accolades from the Webbys, Cooper Hewitt, Communication Arts, Brand New, TDC, and then some, as well as an invitation to exhibit a 10-year retrospective at Pratt Institute. In 2019, Dawn was inducted into the NewCity Design 50 Hall of Fame for her profound influence and unwavering leadership.