Originally from Pittsburgh, Dawn grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and earned her bachelor's degree from Arizona Christian University.  She spent two years in full time ministry at City of Grace, a non-denominational mega church in Mesa, planning community outreach opportunities and global mission trips for the congregation. She volunteered as the female youth leader while her husband, Andrew, was a youth minister for seven years. Together, they also served as chaplain-like resident assistants for a large apartment community.  Most recently, Dawn served two years as Minister of Spiritual Growth, for children, youth, and adults at Trinity Presbyterian Church in St. Louis.  While in St. Louis, she attended graduate school at Eden Theological Seminary, earning an M.A. in pastoral studies with an emphasis in inter-faith relationships.
Dawn has spent time exploring nearly every state of our country; she spent college summers living and working at Yellowstone National Park and taking cross country road trips. She lived and worked at a youth hostel in Amsterdam (and traveled some of Europe) for a semester, lived briefly in California and New Mexico and has had the pleasure of vacationing in Hawaii three times. Dawn is vegan and is committed to nutrition and holistic health. During her free time, Dawn is often found playing hide'n'seek, Candyland, and legos with her favorite playmates... her children, Owen (age 5) and Lila Sophie (age 2). Dawn and Andrew are very thankful to return "home" to Arizona and have parents, grandparents, siblings, nephews and a niece close-by again.
Dawn has a passion for youth ministry. Relationships with youth and children as individuals are of utmost importance. She finds great joy in planning and participating in service opportunities for children and youth where, together, they learn to love others as Christ loves us. Dawn truly looks forward to getting to know the congregation and serving St. Stephen's children and youth ministry.