Dawn is a second-generation commercial pilot and is the only female among the seven pilots in the Gauthier family. She was born into the sport and grew up crewing for her dad, Ted Gauthier, and traveling around the country as his crew chief at balloon competitions. She has now been a pilot for more than 25 years. Her balloon, Daydream, was homebuilt by her dad and she flies in memory of him. She works for Ford Motor Company leading Truck Communications and lives in Birmingham, Michigan with her husband and 10-year old twin boys.