Onward & Upward: S2:E5 with Leona Dotson

Leona is a 17-year Microsoft veteran and leads the Customer Experience team within the Worldwide Enterprise Commercial Business. Her professional background includes roles as Chief of Staff for Microsoft’s U.S. Marketing & Operations, in Executive Communications, Product Management, Product Marketing, Corporate Finance, Accounting, Internal Audit, and Investor Relations.
Leona earned a B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in State College, P.A., and a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University. Before beginning her career at Microsoft, Leona held roles at the Comedy Central Television Network and the Boeing Corporation.

In addition to her professional career, Leona remains a passionate advocate for educating the world’s youth, empowering women to pursue careers in STEM, and enabling a more diverse and inclusive environment at work and in her community. Her passion has driven consistent involvement in Microsoft’s youth and STEM initiatives including leading Microsoft High School Apprentice Program focused on providing career and education opportunities for underrepresented and underserved students in the Greater Seattle community.

Leona has served as a board member for multiple not-for-profit organizations including currently serving on the board of the College Success Foundation. She also served as International Communications Chairman for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated from 2014 – 2018, where she focused on the organization’s overall brand, media engagement, and digital communications strategy. Leona has led numerous charitable fundraisers and service-based program initiatives and acted as an event speaker, workshop presenter, and emcee at countless conferences, political candidate forums, and community-based events.

In her spare time, Soror Leona enjoys spending time with her husband Derrick, her son Duke, participating in a variety of community service activities, reading, and traveling the world.