Dawn Hathaway joined Havens Hospices in 2022 as HR Manager and was promoted to Head of Organisational Development and People in January 2023. 

Working in the City for 22 years, Dawn started as an Executive PA before moving into Investor Relations for a top bank. She was offered the chance to transfer her skills into HR, forging a new career path.  

Dawn says, “Having worked for many organisations whose main focus was to make other people and businesses money, following the lockdown, I had a lot of time to think and reflect on what was important to me.   

“I was working from home a lot and thought, why not look for something more local to me, for an industry that is a little more rewarding and less focussed on profit?   

“Havens Hospices is well known to my family and me, having grown up in Rayleigh and Southend. When I saw the opportunity arise in the team, I was excited and felt it was the perfect move. 

“Given that I spend most of my time at work and away from my two children, it was comforting to know that I would work for an organisation that would make a huge difference to others.  Having friends that have worked in the sector their whole lives, I knew how rewarding and fulfilling the role would be.” 

Dawn will lead the People Team, which includes HR, Volunteer Services, Learning & Development and Organisational Development. “My priorities in the new role will be supporting the overall Mission and Values of the charity, focusing on our people’s health and wellbeing through effective, flexible working and improving the overall experience for someone employed with Havens Hospices.”