Dawn Halfaker is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Halfaker and Associates, an award winning professional services and technology solutions firm in 2006. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Halfaker and Associates operates worldwide providing leading-edge, innovative solutions in information technology, operational security, program management and logistics solutions for government organizations on issues of national and global significance. Under Dawn’s leadership, the Company has achieved extraordinary success and growth and which is fueled by the Company’s vision of “Continuing to Serve.”

Prior to starting Halfaker and Associates, Dawn consulted on several projects with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Sciences Office and was focused on medical research and technology enhance warfighter capabilities and save lives on the battlefield. Dawn also interned as a military liaison to the House Armed Services Committee where she advised the committee Chair on key Department of Defense legislation and issues.

Dawn also served as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army. Throughout her military career, Dawn earned respect as a dynamic leader of men and women in combat, peacekeeping, and in training in the United States, South Korea, Kuwait, and Iraq. While in the military, Dawn held several leadership positions and deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division where she commanded a military police platoon in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was subsequently wounded during a combat patrol near Baghdad in 2004, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for her service.

Dawn remains active supporting numerous civic, cultural and business organizations and is a staunch advocate for Veterans and Wounded Warriors. Specifically, Dawn serves as the President of the Wounded Warrior Project Board of Directors where she focuses on raising awareness and enlisting the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women in addition to helping severely injured service members recover and readjust. Additionally, Dawn served on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Committee for OIF/OEF soldiers and families which focused on improving VA policies and care for veterans who were severely injured in combat and is actively serving on the Secretary of Labor’s Advisory Committee for Veterans Employer Training and Employer Outreach and the Department of Veteran Affairs Readjustment Committee. Dawn also participates as a member of the Advisory Board for Humana Military Health Systems, ThanksUSA and Paradox Sports.

Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. In 2012 Dawn was recognized as an Ernst & Young Greater Washington Entrepreneur of the Year® Award Winner. Some of her other accomplishments include: 2012 Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award Winner; 2012 Aspen Institute Scholar Award; 2012 Civilian Job’s Most Valuable Employer for Military; 2012 Women in Technology Leadership Award Finalist; 2012 Heroine in Technology Finalist; 2011 Fortune Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs; 2011 Worth Magazine Top Entrepreneurs to Watch (#18); and 2011 Washington Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Award. Additionally, Dawn has been featured on several media outlets including HBO, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Huffington Post and The New York Times.