Adrienne P. Whitaker is a philanthropist and community leader with over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, community relations, philanthropy, and inclusion across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She is the Director of Engagement, Impact & Accountability for a statewide agency. She is the co-founder of the L2L Leadership Institute and the CEO of AD2 Consulting - Advanced Development Squared.
Adrienne serves as the National President of the Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC) Foundation and Chairperson of the Minority Business and Emerging Business Advisory Board for the City of Richmond. She also sits on the advisory board of C&F Bank and the boards of Homeward and The Success Foundation.
Corporate & Nonprofit Leadership
Adrienne was Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at SunTrust Bank (now Truist), overseeing regional sales, strategic marketing, and sales management for the retail, commercial, and wealth management lines of business. She was also responsible for corporate social responsibility, and community outreach for a territory with over 3,500 employees. She served as the region’s Chief Marketing Officer and Chief of Staff to the regional president/CEO. She also worked as a sales and sales management coach to executives, including the regional presidents and Mid-Atlantic CEO. She played a key role in strategic corporate change, operationalizing culture, and onboarding newly acquired institutions.
Adrienne has also held leadership roles as:
She has served on the boards of Norfolk State University Foundation, Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Commonwealth Girl Scouts, Richmond Ballet, Virginia Repertory Theatre and the American Heart Association, where she was the Open Your Heart Chairperson for Go Red for Women.
Education & Certifications
Adrienne earned her Bachelor of Arts from William & Mary. She completed leadership programs at the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
She holds multiple certifications, including:
Recognition & Media Features
Adrienne has been recognized with numerous awards, including:
She has been featured in Black Enterprise, Money Matters, Better Investing, Richmond Magazine, and RVA Mag, and was interviewed for the book MarketWatch: How America Made a Fortune and Lost Its Shirt.
Personal & Community Involvement
A third-generation Bahamian-American, Adrienne grew up in an Air Force family, living in multiple locations across the U.S. She now resides in Richmond, Virginia, with strong family ties in Miami, New Brunswick, and the Bahamas.
Adrienne is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, SisterFund, and the Treble Clef and Book Lovers Club (founded in 1908).
Adrienne serves as the National President of the Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC) Foundation and Chairperson of the Minority Business and Emerging Business Advisory Board for the City of Richmond. She also sits on the advisory board of C&F Bank and the boards of Homeward and The Success Foundation.
Corporate & Nonprofit Leadership
Adrienne was Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at SunTrust Bank (now Truist), overseeing regional sales, strategic marketing, and sales management for the retail, commercial, and wealth management lines of business. She was also responsible for corporate social responsibility, and community outreach for a territory with over 3,500 employees. She served as the region’s Chief Marketing Officer and Chief of Staff to the regional president/CEO. She also worked as a sales and sales management coach to executives, including the regional presidents and Mid-Atlantic CEO. She played a key role in strategic corporate change, operationalizing culture, and onboarding newly acquired institutions.
Adrienne has also held leadership roles as:
- Vice President of Institutional Advancement & External Affairs at Virginia State University (VSU), America’s first fully state-assisted, four-year institution of higher learning for Black students.
- Vice President of Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications at Virginia Home for Boys and Girls, supporting youth with emotional and behavioral health concerns.
- Senior Business Development Executive at SOAR365, securing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities by partnering with businesses and government agencies.
She has served on the boards of Norfolk State University Foundation, Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Commonwealth Girl Scouts, Richmond Ballet, Virginia Repertory Theatre and the American Heart Association, where she was the Open Your Heart Chairperson for Go Red for Women.
Education & Certifications
Adrienne earned her Bachelor of Arts from William & Mary. She completed leadership programs at the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
She holds multiple certifications, including:
- Change Management (Cannon Financial Institute)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Purdue University, Cornell University, AHIR, and Catalyst)
- Sales Management (Richardson)
- Sales Coaching (Cohen Brown Group)
- Certified Professional in Financial Services (CPFS)
- The American College of Financial ServicesProfessional Fundraising (Boston University)
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
She has been featured in Black Enterprise, Money Matters, Better Investing, Richmond Magazine, and RVA Mag, and was interviewed for the book MarketWatch: How America Made a Fortune and Lost Its Shirt.
Personal & Community Involvement
A third-generation Bahamian-American, Adrienne grew up in an Air Force family, living in multiple locations across the U.S. She now resides in Richmond, Virginia, with strong family ties in Miami, New Brunswick, and the Bahamas.
Adrienne is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, SisterFund, and the Treble Clef and Book Lovers Club (founded in 1908).
