Former Wright State Trustee Dawn Conway named interim dean of Raj Soin College of Business

Dawn Conway, former Wright State trustee and Boost Engagement president and CEO, has agreed to serve as interim dean and executive in residence of the Raj Soin College of Business.

Dawn Conway, former Wright State University trustee and accomplished business executive, has agreed to serve as interim dean and executive in residence of the Raj Soin College of Business, effective Aug. 4.

She succeeds interim Dean Donald Hopkins, who will retire at the end of June after more than 20 years of service to Wright State. Rachel Sturm will continue in a leadership role as associate dean of the Raj Soin College of Business, ensuring continuity in its operations and academic excellence.

“I am honored to continue my service to Wright State University in this new role as interim dean of the Raj Soin College of Business, where I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable drive and potential of our students,” Conway said. “Wright State plays a vital role not only in shaping the next generation of business leaders but also in driving innovation and economic growth throughout our region. I am committed to fostering a culture of bold leadership, entrepreneurial thinking and real-world impact. I look forward to working with our exceptional faculty and staff to create transformative learning experiences that prepare our graduates to excel in their lives and chosen careers. Together, we will build on the college’s strengths to empower our students, support our faculty and deepen our impact across the communities we serve.”

Wright State Provost Jim Denniston said, “Dawn Conway brings the ideal combination of business leadership experience and understanding of Wright State’s mission from her board service. Her deep connections to our regional business community and commitment to excellence will be tremendous assets at the Raj Soin College of Business. We are fortunate to welcome her expertise to this crucial leadership role.”

Most recently, Conway served on the Wright State University Board of Trustees from 2021 to April 2025, including as vice chair during the 2024–25 academic year.

In her current role as the president and CEO of Boost Engagement, Conway oversees corporate leadership and execution across the company’s brand portfolio. Boost Engagement is a women-owned brand engagement agency specializing in branded merchandise, employee engagement and strategic culture-building solutions that create connection and brand loyalty. Her distinguished career also includes serving as chief operating officer of Cision and holding key leadership positions at LexisNexis, where she specialized in corporate responsibility, global licensing, business development, sales and marketing.

Conway received a Bachelor of Arts from Regis College and a law degree from California Western School of Law. She enhanced her business acumen through executive training at the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the Reed Elsevier Business Leadership Program.

An attorney, Conway is a member of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and a former member of the American Bar Association Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.

Conway is passionate about the arts and served on the Dayton Art Institute Board of Trustees and the Culture Works Board of Directors. She also served on the board of the International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication and the content board of the Software and Information Industry Association.

Wright State will partner with a search firm to conduct a national search for a permanent dean this fall.