Organising Team

Dawn Carter is a strategic global talent acquisition leader with over 30 years of experience driving performance through inclusive, scalable early career hiring strategies. She brings a deep understanding of global markets and a curiosity for the cultural and operational nuances that fuel talent success. She challenges the status quo by centering human connection, empathy, and the power of storytelling as tools for lasting impact.

Most recently, Dawn wrapped up her role as Uber’s Global Director of Talent Acquisition, driving the company’s early-career, university, and apprenticeship talent strategies worldwide. Appointed in 2019 as Uber’s first Global Head of University Recruiting & Programs, she built and scaled a unified global early-talent strategy, bringing consistency, innovation, and long-term workforce planning to teams and regions across the organization.

Her expertise spans industries and organizational complexity, having led high-impact university and early career programs at world-class companies including Amazon, Intuit, NetApp, Northrop Grumman, Teradyne, and Walt Disney Imagineering.

She is an active leader in her craft and has held many leadership roles in both the Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges & Employers (MPACE) and National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). In both organizations she held executive leadership volunteer roles and presided as President and Past President for each organization. She is currently an active member of NACE and is part of the NACE’s Advocacy & Employer Task Force Committees.

Dawn has served as a committed and strategic leader within the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) community for over 20 years across both California and Washington. For the last 12 years she has sat on the Board of Directors in both states and currently contributes her expertise as a Co-Chair for CA MESA Board of Directors helping to shape statewide initiatives that expand educational access and equity in STEM.

Dawn founded New Dawn Strategy Group to partner with organizations to design inclusive, scalable, and globally impactful early-career and university recruiting strategies. Beyond her consulting work, she remains deeply committed to expanding access for students through ongoing volunteer work. She believes that when we create access, we unlock potential, empowering individuals to find their community, expand their reach, and realize what’s possible.

Simon Kho is the founder of KhoLabs, where he partners with companies and universities to design innovative talent strategies that support organizational demand and growth. With over 30 years of global experience in talent management, he has led early career and talent acquisition functions at JPMorgan, Discover Financial, Raymond James Financial, Heidrick & Struggles, WilliamsMarston, and KPMG. Simon brings trusted expertise to lead the dialogue and help influence key stakeholders in transforming for the future or work.

Simon is known for pioneering new approaches, including Discover’s Advanced Analytics Resource Center (development program for data scientist and engineers) and KPMG’s first global internship program (cross-border student engagement). He has guided major transformations at global companies such as BP and KPMG International, where he built resourcing strategies across 150 countries.

A recognized leader in university recruiting and early careers, Simon has served on the Board of NACE, chaired the Employers’ Advisory Board of ENACTUS, and presented at multiple industry conferences. He began his career in student affairs at Michigan State University and Fordham University, and holds an undergraduate degree from Boston College and a Master’s Degree from Fordham.

Cathy Sims is an experienced leader and thought-partner in talent management and early careers. She is the Founding Executive Director of the South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA), a professional body dedicated to advancing graduate employability and supporting talent managers, career services professionals and employers. Over more than two decades, Cathy has shaped the graduate recruitment and development landscape in South Africa through her work in both the corporate and higher-education sectors — including leadership roles in human resources and employer relations. She has a deep commitment to collaboration, insight-driven practice, and building bridges between industry and education. Cathy draws on her expertise in cultivating meaningful pathways for emerging talent and fostering sustainable talent ecosystems.