Dawn O'Keefe

Dawn O’Keefe is an award-winning social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business transformation, strategic consultancy, and community enterprise. After 12 years in the USA co-founding a consultancy and delivering multi-million-pound projects for Siemens, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies, she returned to Yorkshire to build a business with purpose.

In 2007, Dawn transformed a derelict Grade II-listed school into SHINE, a 40,000 sq. ft. hub providing offices, conference spaces, a café, and an art gallery. SHINE serves corporates, start-ups, freelancers, and the local community. Over the last 18 years, Dawn has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs, including more than 300 female founders through her SheCanShine programme, helping create over 40 new businesses and 48 jobs.

Dawn has completed executive programmes at the University of Leeds, including Goldman Sachs 10KSB and Help to Grow, and regularly delivers talks to students on social enterprise. These experiences inspired her to become a CEES Ambassador, driven by her commitment to supporting future entrepreneurs and promoting business as a force for good.

Expertise: social enterprise, start-up support, strategic planning, leadership, and financial management (CIMA qualified, PMP certified, MBA).
Recognition: EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, Yorkshire Businesswoman of the Year, Inclusive Growth Ambassador, and Governor at Harehills Primary School.