Her Story
About Dawn
Dawn Martin is a seasoned Business Development Manager with NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research), bringing over 35 years of experience in sales, including more than two decades dedicated to the construction industry. Based in Metro Jacksonville, she has built a distinguished career rooted in relationship development, strategic account management, and a consistent track record of driving growth and exceeding performance goals. Known for her integrity, professionalism, and client-focused approach, she has developed long-standing partnerships across the construction and media sectors.
Dawn began her career in retail management, where she gained early leadership experience managing stores and teams from a young age. She later transitioned into advertising sales with Engineering News-Record (ENR), where she spent over 20 years in integrated media sales supporting national, regional, and global construction markets. In this role, she delivered cross-platform marketing solutions across print, digital, and events, consistently earning trust as a reliable partner and top-performing sales professional. Her ability to understand client needs and build lasting relationships has been a defining strength throughout her career.
In her current role at NCCER, Dawn leads business development for the Construction Leadership Series, including online, self-paced Foreman and Superintendent training programs designed to strengthen field leadership across the industry. As NCCER’s first traditional salesperson in this evolving role, she is focused on helping contractors improve workforce development, safety, and retention through meaningful training solutions. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading especially audiobooks and spending time with her four dogs, which reflects her appreciation for learning, balance, and personal connection.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dawn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to strong relationship-building skills and a genuine commitment to trust and integrity in every interaction. I believe people must feel confident that I have their best interests at heart, which requires consistency, transparency, and follow-through. Equally important is my belief in the products, services, and overall value I represent, as authentic conviction allows me to serve the industry with credibility and purpose.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to think before you react. Whether receiving an email, text, or feedback in a high-pressure situation, taking a moment to pause, step away if needed, and reflect before responding helps ensure clarity and professionalism. That simple discipline of pausing to consider intention before replying has strengthened my communication, improved my decision-making, and helped me maintain composure in every aspect of my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to network intentionally and consistently, as building strong professional relationships will open doors throughout your career. At the same time, avoid overcommitting yourself; focus on quality over quantity so you can maintain balance and deliver your best work. Set clear, achievable goals for yourself in each experience—such as connecting with five new people at every event—so you stay focused, build confidence, and grow your network without becoming overwhelmed.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is time. In today’s fast-paced environment, especially in the post-COVID landscape, people are often balancing multiple responsibilities, which makes it harder to connect meaningfully or find time to engage with others. This can make outreach and relationship-building more challenging, but it also creates opportunities to be more intentional, efficient, and authentic in how you communicate and maintain professional relationships.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the most important value in both my professional and personal life my word is my bond. I prioritize honesty and transparency in every interaction, whether with clients, colleagues, or in my personal relationships, and I believe trust is built through consistent truthfulness and accountability. I also value direct communication and respect for honesty, even when the truth is difficult, and I aim to surround myself with positive, respectful individuals who contribute to a healthy and productive environment.
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