Dawn Hjelseth, Vice President of Marketing & Communication

Dawn Hjelseth serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Communication at River City Company. In her current role, she manages all aspects of the River City Company’s marketing and communication campaign and operations as well as programs. She serves as the River City Company’s representative to the Chattanooga community, working with key partners to collaboratively create a vibrant downtown for all.

From 2013 – 2020, she served as the Chief Development Officer at 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.

Prior to her role at green|spaces, she served as the Director of Volunteers and Events at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. She spearheaded the relaunch of the Women’s Build program, oversaw the Chattanooga Mud Run and was successfully in securing grants and donations for the redevelopment of the ReStore.

She graduated with a dual degree in International Business and Marketing, Minor in Spanish and an Emphasis in Sales and Nonprofit Management from Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 2007.

Phone: 423-664-4831