Women's Progressive Luncheon

Join us for the Women's Progressive Luncheon, facilitated by Dawanna Witt, Hennepin County’s first Black female elected Sheriff, as we explore themes of resilience, personal growth, and self-care. Sheriff Witt will guide discussions on overcoming adversity, breaking free from cycles, letting go of negative behaviors, and prioritizing your wellbeing. Connect with inspiring women, share stories, and gain valuable insights in this empowering event dedicated to building healthier, more balanced lives. Join us for the Women's Progressive Luncheon, hosted by the Edina and Eden Prairie Chambers of Commerce and be part of something truly empowering.

Meet our Moderator: Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt
Dawanna S. Witt was sworn in as Hennepin County Sheriff on January 3, 2023. She is the first woman and person of color to hold the office. In less than two years as Sheriff, she has created a new Auto Theft Unit to combat historic high numbers, reinstated the DARE program to build relationships with the community at a young age, prioritized providing Narcan trainings and free Narcan to fight the growing opioid crisis, launched a jail data dashboard for transparency inside the Adult Detention Center, and she continues to advocate for law enforcement with county officials.

Sheriff Witt has been in law enforcement for 24 years. She started her career in 2000 as a detention deputy in Hennepin County. In 2004, she became a licensed peace officer and was hired by the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. There, she worked many roles including bailiff, transport, school resource officer, detective, crisis negotiator, recruitment coordinator, diversity and inclusion coordinator, and more. She was the first woman in the agency’s history to become a captain. In 2019, Sheriff Witt returned to HCSO to take charge of the agency’s largest bureau, Adult Detention and Court Services, and was elected as Sheriff in 2022.

She holds undergraduate degrees in Chemical Dependency & Family Therapy and Police Science, and dual master’s degrees in Public Safety Administration and Management. She is an adjunct professor at Inver Hills Community College, teaching Juvenile Justice and American Corrections.