The most profound transformations in leadership often happen away from the spotlight—in the quiet, focused decisions that define the future of a company. For Dawn Seifried, vice president and chief financial officer of Proconex Inc., those moments have been pivotal. Over the past year, she has led two high-impact initiatives: a full ERP system replacement and the consolidation of the company’s benefit plans across its growing portfolio. These weren’t just operational upgrades—they were strategic shifts designed to support Proconex’s expanding business in a rapidly evolving industrial automation landscape.
Seifried’s guiding belief is clear: When we inspire others to excel, we elevate the entire organization. She brings this philosophy to every interaction, whether navigating complex audits or mentoring rising professionals. Her calm authority and deep financial expertise make her not only a trusted executive, but a powerful catalyst for growth and alignment.
Her leadership style centers on impact. Seifried doesn’t just oversee numbers—she shapes the financial architecture that enables the company’s long-term ambitions. With each acquisition or systems overhaul, she ensures the financial infrastructure scales seamlessly, without compromising transparency or agility.
Being recognized as a Titan 100 Honoree reinforced the significance of her work. The recognition validated years of strategic decision-making and tireless commitment to operational excellence. But more importantly, it connected her to a wider community of leaders dedicated to pushing boundaries and building stronger organizations from the inside out.
This year brought one of her most valuable leadership lessons: the power of listening with intention. In guiding the ERP implementation, Seifried navigated diverse stakeholder needs, balancing technical specifications with the lived experiences of employees. By creating space for open feedback, she uncovered insights that streamlined processes and improved adoption. That experience reshaped how she leads—not through directives, but through collaborative design.
Her work to prepare Proconex for the future extends beyond finance. Seifried is equipping employees with the skills and tools needed to thrive in a hybrid, tech-driven environment. She’s developing cross-functional training programs and championing systems that encourage self-service data access, increasing efficiency and ownership across departments.
Outside the boardroom, Seifried is just as committed to cultivating talent. Over the last year, she’s devoted substantial time to mentoring emerging professionals, both within and outside the company. She measures success not in accolades but in the confidence and capability of those she supports.
If she could instantly master any skill, Seifried would choose perfect memory recall. With the ever-expanding demands of her role, she sees immense value in retaining the names and key information of people she meets.
For Seifried, excellence is quiet, methodical and deeply intentional. She builds trust through consistency, empowers through clarity and leads with an unshakable sense of purpose. Her journey reflects the enduring strength of leadership grounded in service—and proves that even in the most technical domains, heart and vision remain the greatest differentiators.
