Dawn Nicole McIlwain isn’t just breaking barriers—she’s building pathways. As the CEO and Founder of Queen City Women in Business™ (QCWIB) and Co-founder of Skilldora, she is leading the charge in business development, AI-powered education, and women’s economic empowerment.
Her work is not just about success—it’s about changing the game for women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and future industry leaders.
From Corporate Leadership to Entrepreneurship
Dawn’s 16 years of corporate leadership and 12 years in business development and entrepreneurship have positioned her as a powerful force in both innovation and economic growth.
Her career spans roles in enterprise strategy, workforce development, and business consulting, but it was her vision to create more opportunities for women that led her to entrepreneurship. Instead of waiting for the right doors to open, she built them herself.
Scaling Women-Owned Businesses with QCWIB
In September 2023, Dawn launched Queen City Women in Business™ (QCWIB) with a bold mission—to connect women-owned businesses with federal, city, and corporate contracts.
What started as a local Charlotte initiative quickly grew into a nationwide organization, supporting women entrepreneurs in all 50 states. Within its first year, QCWIB members have secured over $2.25 million in contracts, proving that when Black women lead, communities thrive.
Through QCWIB, Dawn has created a supplier readiness pipeline, providing:
✔️ Weekly virtual learning programs
✔️ Business matchmaking events
✔️ A directory of women-owned businesses
✔️ Exclusive access to government and corporate contract opportunities
Her work ensures that Black women and minority-owned businesses don’t just compete—they win.
Innovating AI Education with Skilldora
While revolutionizing women’s entrepreneurship, Dawn is also leading the charge in AI-driven education.
As Co-founder and COO of Skilldora, she launched the first-ever eLearning platform accredited for using AI Digital Human Instructors. This cutting-edge platform is designed to:
- Bridge the skills gap in workforce development
- Help professionals upskill in an AI-powered learning environment
- Redefine education by making high-quality training accessible and scalable
With AI rapidly reshaping industries, Dawn is ensuring that Black professionals and entrepreneurs don’t get left behind—they get ahead.
AI Meets Business Growth: The Power of Quinn AI
Dawn’s commitment to innovation doesn’t stop at AI education—she’s also leveraging AI to scale businesses faster.
She recently introduced Quinn AI, an AI-powered business assistant that provides real-time supplier solutions for QCWIB members. This tool is projected to increase economic impact by 50%, helping members:
🚀 Navigate contract opportunities faster
🚀 Streamline business operations
🚀 Compete at a higher level in corporate and government contracting
With Quinn AI, Dawn is proving that AI is not just for big tech—it’s for small business owners, too.
Beyond Business: A Legacy of Service and Impact
Dawn is not just an entrepreneur—she’s a community builder.
She serves as Executive Director of the Carolina Growth Foundation, which supports women, minority, and veteran entrepreneurs in securing resources to grow their businesses.
She is also an active member of the American Cancer Society Gala Board, using her influence to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
Why Dawn Nicole McIlwain is Black Business History in the Making
Dawn Nicole McIlwain isn’t waiting for the future—she’s building it.
She didn’t just start a business—she created a movement for women entrepreneurs.
She didn’t just talk about AI—she built an AI-powered learning platform that’s changing education.
She didn’t just embrace innovation—she designed AI-driven tools to help Black business owners succeed.
Dawn is the blueprint for what happens when business, technology, and community impact come together.
🚀 Follow Dawn’s journey at Queen City Women in Business™ and Skilldora because the future of Black entrepreneurship is being built right now.
