Meet your new President: Dawn Ohlson
Dawn Ohlson’s journey into engineering was ignited by her father, an aircraft engineer, and her natural affinity for mathematics. That early inspiration led to a career spanning more than 30 years, marked by technical excellence, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to mentoring and outreach.
After earning her degree in Engineering and Computer Science at Oxford - becoming the first in her family to attend university - Dawn joined Racal Avionics, where she began building her expertise in avionics systems. She remained with the company through its transition into Thales, ultimately leading complex projects across hardware, software, and systems engineering. Her work has helped shape solutions for the most demanding of customer within defence and national security, and she is widely respected for her strategic insight and collaborative approach.
Our new President, Dawn Ohlson MEng CEng FIET.
Throughout her career, Dawn has been a passionate advocate for STEM education and inclusion. She has worked extensively with schools, universities, and industry bodies to inspire future engineers, particularly young women. Her outreach includes mentoring schemes, public engagement events, and advisory roles on educational initiatives - driven by a belief that engineering should make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Now, as she steps into the role of our President, Dawn brings not only her technical expertise but also a heartfelt commitment to the power of volunteering.
“I feel humbled and honoured to be here,” she says. “Humbled by the people who have gone before me and by the task ahead, and honoured to be trusted with your ideas, your plans and the future of the IET.”
Dawn’s own path into engineering wasn’t always straightforward. She recalls being one of the few girls in her STEM classes, nearly six feet tall, playing euphonium in the local brass band, and not fitting the mould of popularity. But a pivotal moment - a Women and Physics Day at University College London—changed everything. “Standing in a room full of women who loved STEM was a real ‘wow’ moment. It made me think, maybe this is where I belong.”
That sense of belonging and purpose has carried through her career. And it’s volunteering, she says, that has stretched her the most and opened the biggest doors.
“This role - President of the IET - is a volunteer role. And throughout my career, it’s the volunteer roles that have pushed me the hardest and made the biggest impact.”
Looking ahead, Dawn is excited to lead us into a new chapter of volunteer engagement. The organisation is beginning its journey toward achieving the Investing in Volunteers accreditation - a gold standard in volunteer management. This will underpin a transformation programme designed to ensure every volunteer feels supported, empowered, and valued.
She’s also proud to announce our first Volunteer Conference, planned for 2026. “Whether in person or online, this event will be a celebration of our shared purpose and a collaborative space to shape the future together.”
Dawn’s message to members is clear: “I believe in the brilliance of this community. And over the next year, I plan to make volunteers out of every single one of you.”
Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, there's a place for you in our volunteer community. Want to volunteer with the IET? Register your interest here.