Economic Justice + Social Impact Leader
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianadawson/
ADRIANA DAWSON
Economic Justice + Social Impact Leader
Anationally recognizedsocial impactleader,AdrianaDawsonhasbeen driving results attheintersectionofPurpose+Profitforover20years.
Hermulti-sector career ledher tothetelecommunications industry in 2019whenshejoinedVerizonasCommunity EngagementDirector, whereshecurrentlyoversees theVerizonFoundationandsocial impact programming efforts forhermarkets. Inthis rolesheleads andexpands Verizon’spartnershipnetwork, strategic investments, andcollaborates upandacross thebusiness supporting regional andnational initiatives. Inaddition, sheserves as aGlobal Leadfor SOMOS, anenterprise-wide EmployeeResourceGroup(ERG) giving voicetoVerizon’s4K+ Hispanic/Latinx employees.
Adriana is ahighly regardedintrepreneurwitha keenability tolaunch andscaleneweffortswhileaccelerating results andgeneratingnew revenuestreams.Prior tojoiningVerizon,Adrianawas theVicePresident ofCommunityDevelopment atBankNewport. Shewas responsiblefor implementing andadministering all strategic aspectsoftheBank’s CommunityReinvestmentAct(CRA)Program. Shespearheadedthe Bank’surbanexpansionefforts andsuccessfully ledtheBank throughits CRAfederal examination.
Adrianahas alsoheldleadershiproles atRogerWilliamsUniversity and was appointedthefirstwomanStateDirector for theRhodeIslandSmall BusinessDevelopmentCenterwhereshewas recognizednationally for theinnovativeapproachshespearheadedtosupportminority and women-ownedbusinesses. Shecurrently servesonanumberofboards dedicatedtoimproving theeconomic self-sufficiencyofindividuals and families. Shehas receivednumerousprofessionalhonors and recognitions includingRhodeIslandPBN40Under40,America’s SBDC National StateStar,YWCAWomanofAchievement,VerizonLatinx Champion,2022Latin@s tofollowonLinkedIn; andmost recently,Girl Scoutsof SoutheasternNewEngland-LeadingWomenofDistinction.
Sheis a sought-after speaker andthoughtpartner.You’llfindher speaking regularly tovarious industry groups,or youmight catchheron apodcastor a LinkedInLivestream.
Adriana, a first generation-professional,earnedaBachelorofArts in CommunicationStudies fromNortheasternUniversity andholds a MasterofArts inManagementCommunicationfromEmersonCollege.