Dawn McAvoy, MAOL, PMP


Consultant
dawn@loebleadership.com

Meet Dawn McAvoy

Empowering organizations and individuals to thrive through clarity, systems, and soul.

“Order from Chaos. Strategy with Heart.”

Dawn McAvoy is a transformational consultant and executive coach with over 20 years of experience guiding mission-driven organizations and leaders through complexity toward clarity, capacity, and purpose. With a reputation for bringing calm to chaos, Dawn blends strategic insight, operational excellence, and emotional intelligence to help individuals and teams thrive.

Her work spans organizational consulting, executive coaching, program management, and facilitation—always grounded in a deep commitment to equity, growth, and impact. Whether streamlining systems, mentoring emerging leaders, or managing multi-million-dollar initiatives, Dawn is known for her ability to see both the big picture and the fine details, holding both with calm assuredness.

Clients describe her as “a true coach—authentic, compassionate, and empowering,” and “the glue that holds the team together—strategic, organized, and deeply human.” Her signature strengths include organizational effectiveness, leadership development, strategic thinking, and emotionally intelligent coaching.

Dawn holds certifications in PMP, DiSC, MBTI, and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership. She partners best with nonprofits, executive teams navigating change, leadership academies, and HR/OD leaders seeking strategic support.

Areas of Expertise

  • Leadership Development, Coaching, and Mentoring

  • Executive Coaching

  • Workshop Design

  • Emotional Intelligence

  • Interpersonal Dynamics

  • Strategic Thinking

  • Operations & Execution

  • 360 Assessments & Feedback

  • Performance Management

  • Enhancing Communication

Honors & Awards

  • Innovation and Change Award/American University/June 2021

  • Customer Support Award/American University/June 2020

  • Staff Performance Award for Inclusive Excellence/American University/May 2019

  • Club Coach Award/Toastmasters, District 27/June 2013

  • District Governor’s Award/Toastmasters, District 32/June 2011

  • Innovative Marketing Award/Toastmasters, District 32/November 2010

  • High Performance Leadership Award/Toastmasters, District 32/June 2010

  • Outstanding Initiative Award/Toastmasters, District 32/June 2009

MEMBERSHIPS, ASSOCIATIONS, + CERTIFICATIONS

  • Mid-Atlantic Facilitator’s Network/Board Member, Marketing Chair, Programming Committee/2023-Present

  • Chesapeake Bay Organization Development Network/Board Member, Conference Chair, Conference Advisor/2021-2023

  • Association for Talent Development/Board Member/2013-14

  • Northern Virginia SHRM/Training and Development SIG Co-Lead/2015

  • Toastmasters, District 27/Area Governor/2013

  • Toastmasters, District 27/Club President/2013

  • Toastmasters, District 32, District Public Relations Officer/2010

  • Compass Pro Bono/Pro Bono Consultant for DC Area Nonprofits/2012-2021

Education

  • Chapman University, MA-Organizational Leadership, Washington, Graduated 2011

  • Pellissippi State Community College/CDA: Early Childhood Education, Tennessee, Graduated 2003

  • University of Tennessee, BA-English, Technical Communication, Tennessee, Graduated 1996

Certified Facilitator

  • Emotional Intelligence 2.0®

  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI)

Relevant Experience

Client Type: State Agency

Industry: State Government

Issue: The client was struggling with change, trust, and communication on her team.

Our Approach: I was part of a consulting team that provided training and coaching. I provided executive coaching to a senior executive and several members of her team (total of 12 people). My colleague and I also provided 4 training modules (1/month) on different leadership topics. The team had “homework/assignments” to complete before the next training and reported on their progress the next month. My coaching supported the training but also addressed individual needs that each leader was facing.

Result: The leaders engaged with each other and the content during the trainings. They built accountability partnerships. Their trust grew from month to month. The individual coaching generated conversations and outcomes that positively impacted their teams and each other, sharing resources and ideas. After four months, the team had more trust than they had experienced in 2-3 years. They developed greater self-awareness. They were willing to have difficult/hard conversations. The senior leader I coached was more confident and taking more risks, which generated better and faster results for her team.

 

Client Type: Nonprofit Agency that helps vulnerable families with housing and health needs.

Industry: Nonprofit

Issue: The client needed a succession plan for their CEO.

Our Approach: Over the span of three months, I collaborated with two senior leaders. I learned about the organization’s pain points and gaps. We developed processes to inform a succession plan, which included the following: Skills Matrix, Onboarding Checklist, Offboarding Checklist, Gnatt Chart Hiring Timeline, Staff Procedures and Protocols, and an “If-Then” document.

Result: The client gained a plan for staff training and development, a skills assessment tool, and a roadmap to building out our HR policies. The end result – adding individual growth for staff members to their corporate culture as well as a plan for succession in every area of the organization.

 ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS + RESEARCH