Frankly Speaking with Adrienne P. Whitaker

A transformational leader who has served in the top leadership roles for various organizations, Adrienne Whitaker is a founder and principal partner of L2L Leadership Institute. She is the CEO of AD2 Consulting, a community leader and philanthropist. She has earned her reputation as an inspiring catalyst for change. Her expertise and thought leadership centers on creating inclusive spaces where everyone thrive by unlocking the true potential of individuals, teams, leaders and organizations. As a trusted C-Suite and board-level advisor, Adrienne guides corporate leadership and drives systemic, organizational change across people, processes, and products on a large scale. Her deep experience spans market-leading consulting, financial services, higher education, human services and arts & entertainment. Throughout her distinguished career, Adrienne has championed inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) as a competitive advantage—viewing it as a critical component of culture and community that brings out the best in individuals.

She has been featured in Black Enterprise magazine, Richmond Magazine, Richmond Mag, Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond Free Press, and Money Matters magazine,. She was also interviewed for the book, How America Made a Fortune and Lost Its Shirt.

Adrienne writes a blog, Frankly Speaking with Adrienne P. Whitaker
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Experience

Employment

• ​Senior Vice President, SunTrust Bank, now Truist (Sales, Strategic Marketing, Community Outreach, Project Management, Product Development, Mergers & Acquistions, and Diversity & Inclusion)
• Vice President, Virginia State University (Institutional Advancement, Strategic Planning, External Affairs, Public & Media Relations, Government Relations and Crisis Management)
• Vice President, Virginia Home for Boys and Girls (Philanthropy, Marketing, Communications, Strategic Planning, and Crisis Management
• Senior Business Development Executive (Business Development, Advocacy, Corporate Relations)
• Director of Engagement, Impact, and Accountability, Virginia Housing (Strategic development and execution of nationally recognized “best practice” and award winning IDEA program)

Advisor/Consultant

• Advisor, C&F Bank
• Strategic Advisor, Richmond City Sheriff’s Office 
• IDEA Officer, Virginia Repertory Theatre
• Advisor, City of Richmond (Office of Minority Business Development)
• Contractor, City of Richmond (Human Resources & Organizational Development) 

Boards/Committees

• President, Urban Financial Services Coalition Foundation
• Chair, City of Richmond Office of Minority Nusiness Development Advisory Council
• American Heart Association, Leadership Chair
• Girl Scouts, Commonwealth of Virginia, Community Outreach Committee
• Homeward 
• Richmond Ballet, Community Outreach Committee
• The Success Foundation

Past Boards 

• Virginia Repetory Theatre
• Girl Scouts, Commonwealth of Virginia 
• Junior Achievement 
• Metropolitan Business League
• Richmond Ballet
• Billiard House
• SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now)

​Memberships 

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Henrico County Alumnae Chapter
• The Links Incorporated, James River Valley (VA) Chapter 
• Metropolitan Business League
• SisterFund, Community Foundation Giving Circle
• Treble Clef and Book Lovers Club
• Virginia State University Booster Club
• Young Women Christian League, Lilies of the Valley Chapter

Education

• College of William and Mary, BA, Sociology and English
• University of Virginia, Sorensen Institute for Political Leaders
• Cornel University, Certification in Diversity & Inclusion
• Boston University, Fundraising Certification
• University of Richmond, Institute of Financial Education

Recognition & Media Features
Adrienne has been recognized with numerous awards, including:

• 2025 Trojan Girls Rock Award —Virginia State University
• 2023-2024 Woman of Impact —American Heart Association, Richmond
• Robert J. Samuels Award —Urban Financial Services Coalition (National Banker of the Year)
• Top 40 Under 40 - Style Weekly/Inside Business Magazine

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