Dawn Marie Johnson

Dawn Marie, a passionate advocate and community leader, draws inspiration from her upbringing on the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation. With a Master’s in Social Work from the University of South Dakota, she has been a driving force in Sioux Falls since 2020.

She is a proud mother and dedicated board member, making history in 2023 as the first woman of color elected to the Sioux Falls School District School Board. Her commitment extends to roles in the Bridging the Gap Board and she also serves on the Levitt and the Falls Foundation.

Dawn Marie is a distinguished leader, celebrated for her keynote addresses and accolades at the collegiate, community, and national levels. Her unwavering dedication to community building and empowerment is fueled by her role as a mother to Rhayn and partner to Tamien, as well as a cherished mentor and “aunt” figure to numerous young adults.