Social Impact + Market Development Leader
Current Position:
Director, Community Engagement
Verizon
A nationally recognized social impact leader, Adriana Dawson has been driving results at the intersection of Purpose + Profit for over 20 years.
Her multi-sector career led her to the telecommunications industry in 2019 when she joined Verizon as Community Engagement Director, where she currently oversees the Verizon Foundation and social impact programming efforts for her markets. In this role she leads and expands Verizon’s partnership network, strategic investments, and collaborates up and across the business supporting regional and national initiatives. In addition, she serves as the Partnerships and Volunteer Global Lead for SOMOS, an enterprise-wide Employee Resource Group (ERG) giving voice to Verizon’s 4K+ Hispanic/Latinx employees.
Prior to joining Verizon, Adriana was the Vice President of Community Development at BankNewport. She was responsible for implementing and administering all strategic aspects of the Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Program. She spearheaded the Bank’s urban expansion efforts and successfully led the Bank through its CRA federal examination.
Adriana has held leadership roles at Roger Williams University and served as the first female State Director for the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center where she was recognized nationally for her work with minority and women owned businesses. She currently serves on a number of statewide boards dedicated to improving the economic self-sufficiency of individuals and families.
Adriana is a sought-after speaker and thought partner. You’ll find her speaking regularly to various industry groups, or you might catch her on a podcast or a LinkedIn Live stream.
Adriana, a first generation-professional, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Northeastern University, and holds a Master of Arts in Management Communication from Emerson College.