Abstract
Volunteers are at the heart of progress in engineering and technology, often working behind the scenes yet making a huge impact.
In her 2025 President’s Address, IET President Dawn Ohlson will highlight the vital role of volunteers across the profession. Through a powerful personal story, she will showcase how volunteering supports skills, networks, and innovation - and why recognising this impact has never been more important.
About Dawn Ohlson Inspired by her father’s career and a lifelong passion for mathematics, Dawn Ohlson embarked on a journey into engineering that would span more than three decades.
After graduating with an engineering degree, she joined Racal, where she began building her expertise in avionics systems. She remained with the company through its transition into Thales, ultimately spending nearly 30 years leading complex projects across hardware, software and systems engineering.
Throughout her career, Dawn has been a champion of innovation and collaboration, guiding multidisciplinary teams and mentoring countless early-career engineers. Her leadership has been instrumental in delivering cutting-edge avionics solutions, and she is widely respected for her technical depth and strategic vision.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dawn has been a tireless advocate for STEM outreach. She has worked extensively with schools, universities and industry bodies to inspire the next generation of engineers, particularly young women, believing strongly that engineering should make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Her outreach work includes mentoring schemes, public engagement events, and advisory roles on educational initiatives.
Dawn continues to contribute to the engineering community through speaking engagements, advisory panels and mentoring programmes. She is passionate about ensuring that engineering remains inclusive, impactful and deeply connected to society’s evolving needs.
