Meet Dawn Pierce, Senior IT Systems Engineer at Progress

We shine a spotlight on Dawn Pierce, who has been recognized for her embodiment of delivering excellence, a ProgressPROUD core value. Known for her kindness, optimism and desire to make a positive impact, Dawn lives by the motto: “Always be kind, always look for the silver lining and make a positive impact when you meet someone.” For 25 years, she has been a steady and passionate force on the IT team at Progress, consistently supporting users and systems with the highest level of care. Outside of work, Dawn brings that same energy and dedication to the ice by teaching figure skating to kids and adults in her spare time. She even owns over 100 pairs of sneakers! Learn more about Dawn’s inspiring journey and how she continues to help Progress thrive through every challenge and transformation.

How did you get into the tech field?

I went to college for Legal Studies and then went back to get my Paralegal degree. I worked for an insurance defense law firm for 14 years. I worked for 12 and a half attorneys (the 'half' was a part time attorney), ran title searches and worked on PowerPoint presentations for their new division of entertainment law. One day, the managing partner came to me with Barron’s magazine, opened it, pointed to a website and said, “I want one of these.”

At that point, I barely knew how to turn the computer on. I took some classes, learned how to code and built websites. I fell in love with it and the rest is history.

What do you enjoy the most in your daily work life?

It’s difficult to pick one because there are so many experiences that I enjoy. I enjoy spending time with the people I work with. There are many lessons and skills I’ve learned from my peers by working on different projects and taking on various responsibilities. My manager trusts my aptitude and ability to work on things outside my comfort zone. This has allowed me to grow in my role and I’ve enjoyed this journey thoroughly—including all the challenges and motivations received along the way. I’ve been with Progress for 25 years now and the talent, knowledge and respect I’ve garnered during my experience here is amazing!

How do you ensure that you remain accountable for your tasks and responsibilities, even when faced with unexpected challenges?

Working in IT often comes with an almost guaranteed package of unexpected challenges. Therefore, it’s crucial to prepare for them. As per my strategy, communication and prioritization are key to overcoming these challenges. When an issue of urgent nature arises, I make it a priority to keep our users informed about the situation and help them understand that a critical aspect of the project needs our immediate attention. Once the urgent issue is resolved, I return to working on their usual, non-urgent requests. I find that this approach is useful in keeping the information and communication flowing and maintaining the highest standards of service that we provide.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

I love to keep busy. Sometimes, I go to my husband’s workshop and help him with turning wooden bowls and making pens. Recently, I built an Adirondack Chair out of hockey sticks.

Another hobby of mine is photography. When I'm not at Progress or teaching at the ice skating rink, I go for drives with friends or with my husband and our dog Pinto to photograph wooden bridges, lighthouses, waterscapes and foliage.

My family is very important to me. I love spending time with my family members—whether it’s going on vacation, taking a road trip, hanging by the pool or sitting in the backyard around the firepit, we always have a great time with lots of laughs.

What are you most excited about for the future of Progress?

I’m most excited about the growth of Progress! The senior leadership of Progress truly cares about the company and its employees. They have proven it time and time again. I’m excited to see Progress grow into a multi-billion dollar company!