Dawn Frazier Kregel

Dawn Kregel, DNP, MSN‑HCM, RN, CCRN, is a nationally respected system‑level nursing executive with more than three decades of experience transforming clinical operations and organizational performance across hospitals throughout the United States. She is known for her ability to stabilize struggling environments, elevate teams, and build cultures rooted in trust, accountability, and compassion. A recipient of the Top 100 Nurse honor, Dawn has mentored thousands of nurse leaders nationwide, shaping the next generation of healthcare leadership. Her memoir reflects the emotional labor, courage, and clarity required to lead with integrity and purpose. Dawn is also the founder of the DFK+ Healthcare Consulting which is a methodology designed to help leaders navigate complexity with intention, steadiness, and humanity. A lifelong Texan, Dawn has spent most of her life in Denton with her husband, Lane — the love of her life — raising two sons and a joyful parade of beloved pets. She continues her work nationally, a testament to resilience and the quiet power of leading toward what is best.