Meet Me
Dawn Ottman — Speaker | Engineer | Veteran | Innovator
I am a speaker, engineer, inventor, military veteran, and author, and I bring decades of leadership, innovation, and real-world experience to every stage I step onto.
I earned my degree in Space Science from the Royal Military College of Canada and served in the Canadian Air Force, where I led multimillion-dollar research and development initiatives in satellite communications and advanced electronics. After my military service, I moved into senior engineering roles within major technology corporations, specializing in software testing, systems integration, and telecommunications innovation.
As the Founder and CEO of Candew Scientific, I focus on pioneering renewable energy technologies in wind and solar power. I hold patented inventions and have received national recognition for innovation. My work spans research and development, quality control, product testing, renewable energy systems, and high-performance engineering leadership.
In addition to my work in technology and innovation, I am also an author of historical fiction. Storytelling allows me to explore culture, history, and human resilience, creating a bridge between analytical thinking and creative expression.
I speak about leadership in male-dominated industries, innovation and entrepreneurship, renewable energy development, resilience through career transitions, military-to-civilian transformation, and the intersection of science and storytelling.
My goal is to deliver presentations that are insightful, grounded in experience, and designed to empower audiences to think boldly, innovate courageously, and lead with purpose.
Today, I speak out to support women in the military and survivors of sexual assault. My goal is to promote safety, accountability, and healing. By sharing my story, I hope to empower others, reduce silence and stigma, and help create a future where no one has to fight alone for dignity and justice.
I also want to remind women that their strength is not defined by what they endure, but by how they rise after it. Every challenge I faced became part of a larger mission to bring awareness and change. My experiences are not just personal history — they are a call to improve systems, protect service members, and ensure respect for all who choose to serve.