In today’s world, where the intersection of purpose and profit has become critical, few leaders embody this balance better than Adriana Dawson. With over two decades of experience, Adriana has navigated multiple industries, always guided by a singular mission: businesses thrive when they invest in their communities. As the Director of Community Engagement at Verizon since 2019, she has turned this belief into action, driving initiatives that empower underserved populations while advancing corporate social responsibility.
Adriana’s career trajectory is one of both intention and impact. Before joining Verizon, she led community development efforts at BankNewport, where she oversaw the Community Reinvestment Act Program. Under her leadership, the bank not only passed its federal Community Reinvestment Act examination but also deepened its connections with local communities, ensuring that its growth was intertwined with the well-being of the neighborhoods it served.
Her influence, however, stretches far beyond the financial sector. Adriana has held critical academic roles at Roger Williams University and became the first woman to serve as the State Director for the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center. There, her efforts to support minority- and women-owned businesses garnered national recognition. This diverse, multi-sector experience has only sharpened her approach to leadership.
“Because I’ve been a practitioner across many different industries, I’ve seen the gaps firsthand, and I understand how to navigate different spaces,” Adriana shares. “I’ve taken a community-first approach, and I center everything I do around humanity.”
From First-Generation Professional to Thought Leader
Adriana’s rise to leadership didn’t come with a roadmap. As a first-generation professional, she faced the challenge of learning to navigate corporate environments without family guidance. Her parents were factory workers and couldn’t offer insights into the business world. Yet, this challenge became the fuel for her success.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to decode the world of work,” she recalls. “Although I earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, I initially felt I lacked the skills to advance. What helped me navigate this challenge was the understanding of the importance of building a network—by increasing my social capital through mentors, sponsors, and a wealth of connections.”
In time, Adriana realized that her background, far from being a limitation, was a significant asset. Being bilingual and bicultural allowed her to bridge gaps and connect more deeply with the communities she sought to uplift.
“Being bilingual and bicultural gave me a vital perspective and understanding of different market segments—because I was one of those segments,” she says. “I realized my background was not a hindrance, but my superpower.”
Empowering Communities Through Verizon’s Social Responsibility
At Verizon, Adriana has channeled her passion for empowering communities into action. One of her proudest achievements is leading the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program, a platform designed to help under-resourced small businesses—particularly minority- and women-owned—transition into the digital economy. The program offers free resources, training, and networking opportunities, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Her leadership has also driven strategic investments in local organizations such as the African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE (AACC) and the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC). Through these partnerships, Verizon has provided critical technological support, enabling small businesses to scale sustainably.
“One of our key pillars at Verizon is driving digital equity and inclusion among small businesses,” Adriana explains. “We introduced the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform to give entrepreneurs the skills they need to thrive in the new digital age.”
With decades of impactful leadership behind her, Adriana’s advice for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs is clear: take full advantage of available resources and prioritize building a strong network.
“My advice to emerging leaders and entrepreneurs is to take full advantage of the resources available to them,” she emphasizes. “From local chambers of commerce and industry associations to programs like Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, identify what’s in your ecosystem that will elevate your skills while boosting your social capital.”
She stresses the importance of networking, encouraging others to foster relationships that will guide and support their efforts to make a lasting difference in their communities.
Reflecting on her journey, Adriana remains steadfast in her belief that businesses can no longer separate purpose from profit. As the relationship between the two evolves, she encourages leaders to embrace social responsibility not as a corporate initiative but as a business imperative.
“Purpose and profit are inherently linked,” she states. “People are at the center of purpose—helping to drive, guide, and inform business strategy, investment, jobs, and more within their communities. The ability for leaders to see this purpose as a business lever and build meaningful relationships to drive that mission forward is key.”
Adriana Dawson’s story—from a first-generation professional to a corporate leader—is a powerful testament to the idea that businesses can and should align purpose with profit. Her work at Verizon inspires emerging leaders to follow her example, ensuring that the path to success is paved with a deep commitment to community and humanity.