Dawn Hjelseth
River City Company has named Dawn Hjelseth as the nonprofit’s new vice president of Marketing and Communication. Ms. Hjelseth will begin her new position in mid-January 2021.
“River City Company is thrilled that Dawn Hjelseth will be joining our team,” said Emily Mack, president/CEO of River City Company. “Her unique and diverse background in marketing, communication, development, programming, and events will be a tremendous asset to our organization. She’s a creative and visionary leader that also possesses the technical skill set to excel in this position.”
Since 2013, Ms. Hjelseth has served as the chief development officer for green|spaces, Chattanooga’s sustainability nonprofit. In her role, she was instrumental in the development of programs including Empower Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Green Prix and most recently, the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. Her drive and passion for creating a more equitable and resilient Chattanooga attributed to the organization’s growth of the staff from one employee to seven along with raising over $2.5 million for their programs. During her time, the organization expanded services to provide energy efficiency education to over 3,000 limited-income households, partnered with 40 local schools to engage over 600 students in STEM activities and implemented a leadership and workforce development program for young adults interested in green construction.
Michael Walton, executive director of green|spaces, said, “When the green|spaces Board of Directors hired me in 2014, Dawn Hjelseth was the only employee remaining. Together, we reimagined what green|spaces could be and Dawn helped build the institutional capacity and financial sustainability that has allowed the organization to have such a meaningful impact on so many lives while also improving our natural environment. I cannot thank Dawn enough for her service to our mission and look forward to building on the strong foundation that she leaves.”
In January 2021, green|spaces will release the final draft of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. They are seeking a new director of Development who will raise the necessary funds and create strategic partnerships to support the overall organization and to achieve the outlined goals and strategies in the plan. For more information on the open position: http://www.greenspaceschattanooga.org/staff-and-board