At Best of Best Review, we are proud to name Dawn Busby the Best Executive Leadership Consultant in the U.S. of 2025 ,  an honor that reflects not only her extraordinary career but her ongoing impact on leaders, teams, and mission-driven organizations across the country. With decades of high-level government service and a passion for transformational change, Dawn stands out as a force for both strategic excellence and human development.

Dawn Busby is not your typical leadership consultant. She’s known by many as “The Fixer” ,  a leader called in when billion-dollar programs are failing, teams are burning out, and missions are at risk. But what she truly brings to the table isn’t just a solution ,  it’s belief. The belief that people, when aligned with purpose and given the right leadership, can rise to any challenge. Her company, Mission First Strategies, embodies that philosophy. Built around the mantra “Mission First, People Always,” Dawn’s work bridges the gap between operational strategy and people-focused leadership.

With more than 30 years of experience leading complex operations, cybersecurity initiatives, and modernization programs within the U.S. Intelligence Community, Dawn has seen firsthand what’s at stake when leadership falls short. She’s also shown what’s possible when it doesn’t. From turning multimillion-dollar losses into profit to reviving low-morale programs into award-winning teams, her results speak volumes. But what sets Dawn apart isn’t just the turnaround metrics ,  it’s the way she gets there.

Dawn has an unmatched ability to transform organizational culture by aligning mission goals with human potential. Where others see broken contracts or failed leadership, she sees opportunity ,  a chance to rebuild, realign, and reenergize. Her clients don’t just walk away with a new strategy; they leave with renewed confidence, stronger teams, and measurable outcomes. She’s not just building companies ,  she’s building people.

One of the most compelling aspects of Dawn’s work is her track record as a mentor. Dozens of professionals credit her coaching with helping them break through personal and professional barriers, rise into leadership roles, launch new businesses, or completely reinvent their careers. She’s known for asking hard questions, offering grounded guidance, and always keeping the mission in view. As one client put it, “She helped me lead through crisis, find my voice, and become the leader my team needed.”

In addition to her consulting and coaching work, Dawn is also the creator of SCIFLink, a secure communication platform designed specifically for defense and government personnel working in restricted environments. SCIFLink is a prime example of her ability to combine innovation with insight ,  filling a critical gap in the defense sector by enabling compliant, real-time communication in environments where security is non-negotiable.

At Best of Best Review, we use a rigorous, criteria-based process to select our award recipients. Dawn Busby was chosen based on her demonstrated expertise, quantitative impact, authenticity, leadership philosophy, and client outcomes. She has repeatedly delivered 100% SLA compliance in previously failing programs, reversed losses at scale, and earned a reputation as the go-to strategist for mission-driven transformation.

Dawn’s success lies in her ability to connect ,  not just with numbers or goals, but with people. Her leadership style is rooted in empathy, accountability, and deep operational knowledge. She doesn’t just offer advice ,  she rolls up her sleeves, listens, learns, and leads from within.

Dawn Busby’s story is proof that transformation is possible ,  in systems, in culture, and in people. Whether she’s coaching an executive through a tough transition or designing a secure tech solution for a classified environment, she leads with clarity, courage, and heart. And in a world where leadership often feels out of touch, her work reminds us that the best leaders are the ones who serve with both purpose and presence.

To learn more about Dawn Busby and Mission First Strategies, visit missionfirststrategies.com, or connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook.