Dayton, Ohio – City Manager Shelley Dickstein has announced that Dawn Manuel will step into the role of Interim Director of Human Resources for the City of Dayton, effective February 17, 2025.
Decades of Experience in City Administration
Manuel has dedicated 27 years to serving the City of Dayton, including more than 20 years within the Department of Human Resources. Over the past eight years, she has held leadership roles as a supervisor and manager, overseeing critical functions such as employee development and training, compensation and classification policy, data management, policy review and development, drug testing, and employee evaluation.
Before joining human resources, Manuel contributed her expertise to the Departments of Finance and Planning, Neighborhoods & Development, demonstrating a broad understanding of city operations.
Manuel’s academic background includes a Master of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University, earned in 1995, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Personnel Management from Urbana University, obtained in 1991.
Leadership Transition in Human Resources
City Manager Shelley Dickstein expressed confidence in Manuel’s ability to lead the department during this transition.
“The City of Dayton and its employees have been well-served by Dawn and her human resources experience and expertise,” Dickstein said. “We look forward to her continued contribution to the City workforce.”
Manuel takes on this new role following the retirement of Ken Couch, who has served as the Director of Human Resources for more than a decade. His leadership played a key role in shaping the department, and his contributions will leave a lasting impact on Dayton’s workforce policies and initiatives.
