Dawn Nelson

Director of Talent Acquisition
“I’m honored to be part of the MidPen team and to support the incredible work being done across our communities. I believe talent acquisition is a powerful lever for impact—bringing in top talent and mission-aligned team members. At MidPen Housing, I’m passionate about finding and connecting purpose-driven professionals with meaningful work that ultimately strengthens the communities we serve.”

Dawn Nelson joined MidPen as the new Director of Talent Acquisition. She brings over 20 years of progressive HR experience, with the last 5 years dedicated to leading organizational talent acquisition strategies. She most recently led a talent acquisition team at See’s Candies. Throughout her journey, Dawn has built a reputation for developing inclusive recruitment practices and building high-performing, values-aligned teams.

Dawn is passionate about MidPen Housing’s mission to provide safe, affordable housing and sees talent acquisition as a powerful lever for social impact. She is driven by the opportunity to connect purpose-driven professionals with meaningful work that strengthens communities.

Dawn brings a strategic and people-centered approach to her work—ensuring that every hire contributes to MidPen’s culture, core values, and guiding principles. 

In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new countries, hiking, biking, and spending time with her 3 adult sons and pup Sadie!

Fun Fact