On Friday, October 20^th, join us for a presentation by Susan Dawson on the topic: “Leading Systemic Change”. 

Our mission is to elevate the role of leadership in the lives of the citizens of Central Texas; to focus on the vitality and necessity of regional leadership capital; and to serve others through the process of encouraging individuals to grow, prosper and make a significant difference through the practice of leadership skills

Susan Dawson, Executive Director of the E³ Alliance, is a Texas entrepreneur, business and civic leader. She founded and leads the E³ Alliance, a regional collaborative to increase economic outcomes by aligning our education systems to better fulfill the potential of every citizen. She is former president and managing partner at Athens Group, an employee-owned consulting firm integrating technology strategy and software solutions.    Before co-founding Athens Group, Ms. Dawson was president of Sterling Information Group, an Austin-based software and management consulting firm, and was Computer Integrated Manufacturing Manager for Motorola’s Semiconductor Product Sector, where she managed the deployment of factory integration systems to facilities worldwide. Ms. Dawson served as the 2001 Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Executive Board of the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO) and is Co-Chair of the AISD High School Redesign Task Force, as well as Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber Education Progress Report Task Force. Her many previous board and leadership positions include the Central Texas Healthcare District, World Congress on Information Technology, Envision Central Texas, Leadership Austin, Austin Partners in Education, UT Evening MBA program, Association Women in Technology, the Central Texas CEO Summit, the Mayor’s Economic Development Task Force and the Austin Idea Network.  

Ms. Dawson has long been active in the field of education.  She is an eleven-year board member and current Board Chair of American YouthWorks, a highly successful drop-out recovery program that includes two Charter Schools as well as support services and job training opportunities for at-risk youth.  She is a formal and informal advisor to superintendents and board members in various districts throughout the Central Texas region, and tutors both struggling and gifted elementary students in reading and math skills every week.  Her many awards related to her work in education and beyond include the Austin Profiles in Power “Profile Leader” award, being named Austin Under 40 “Austinite of the Year”, the Rostow Leadership Award from the Austin Project for leadership in education, the Greater Austin Chamber “Education Volunteer of the Year” and the UT McCombs School “Trailblazer Award” for the distinguished woman alumni trailblazer in business and community. In 2005 she was recognized as a Hero for Children by the State Board of Education for her outstanding volunteer service to the children of Texas . 

Ms. Dawson has a BS in Civil Engineering Cum Laude from Princeton University and an MBA with highest honors in Information Systems Management from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. Ms. Dawson has been licensed as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering.  A native Texan, she is blessed with a wonderful husband, Dr. Ken Mannas, and two fabulous children: Clark, age nine, and Adriene, six, both of whom attend public schools in Central Texas .

The breakfast will be held from 7:30 until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20th, at the Austin Club. The cost is $20.00 per person. Reservations are required. To register, go to www.theaustinleadershipforum.com.  Registration closes on Wednesday, October 18^th   Please don’t delay. at 6:00 PM.