Her Story
About Dawn
Dawn C. Simmons (Khan) is a seasoned IT and digital transformation leader with three decades of experience helping organizations modernize operations through service management, AI-enabled workflows, and enterprise process optimization. She began her career in corporate market intelligence before transitioning into IT, where she developed a strong focus on IT service management, solution design, and large-scale transformation initiatives across healthcare, government, and enterprise environments.
Throughout her career, she has led complex digital transformation programs that bridge business strategy with technology execution, particularly within the ServiceNow ecosystem. Her work emphasizes improving service delivery, operational efficiency, and organizational alignment through structured methodologies such as ITSM, Agile delivery frameworks, and continuous improvement practices. She is also an author and thought leader in IT service management and digital transformation.
In addition to her enterprise work, Dawn is the founder of Women AI Labs, an initiative focused on ethical AI, algorithmic fairness, and reducing bias in automated systems. She actively builds communities that bring together industry leaders, academics, and technologists to co-develop responsible AI solutions. Her mission centers on ensuring that digital transformation and artificial intelligence systems are designed with equity, accountability, and measurable human impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dawn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continuous learning, adaptability, and a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference through technology. I have always approached my work as both a student and a teacher of business, recognizing that industries and expectations are constantly evolving. I also credit mentorship and collaboration, as I’ve learned significantly from working alongside leaders who challenged and supported my growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be both a teacher and a student of business. This mindset reminds me that I never truly “arrive,” because business environments are always changing. Staying curious, continuously learning, and sharing knowledge with others creates a cycle of growth that benefits both my work and the people I lead.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to understand the big-picture view of how work and systems connect. Think of your career as a workflow—identify where you are today and where you want to go, then map the steps that will get you there. Stay grounded in best practices, but remain open to innovation, and always look for opportunities to learn, lead, and contribute meaningfully.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge and opportunity in my field is the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on business, society, and decision-making systems. AI introduces significant concerns around data implications, bias, and fairness, particularly in areas like healthcare, hiring, and public services. At the same time, it creates an opportunity to build new frameworks for equitable AI, responsible governance, and human-centered digital transformation.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are making a positive difference, promoting equity, and advancing education and lifelong learning. I care deeply about ensuring that technology serves people fairly and meaningfully, especially in areas that affect life, liberty, and opportunity. I am also guided by a commitment to service, inclusion, and using my work to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
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