In celebration of our 40th anniversary, Black Enterprise is taking a look both forward and backward at the world of black business. Our list of 40 Next celebrates the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
These BE Nexters–those 21—35 years old making a measurable impact within their respective business, organization, industry, or field–are standouts in the areas of entrepreneurship, corporate America, academia, nonprofit, the arts, and the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). And they prove every day that “business as usual” is not so usual. For them, leveraging expertise in one area to maximize an opportunity in another is standard operating procedure.
Using the legacy of their business predecessors to forge their own way, this new generation of leadership accepts the torch without trepidation. But the commonality between then and now is that success still takes a focused, strategic, and passionate mindset. Here, we introduce you to one of our 40 Next.
Leona Locke Dotson, 29
Finance Manager
Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA
Locke Dotson manages $1 billion in revenues and creates long- and short-term strategies for current and future product launches and specific marketing initiatives. She expanded Microsoft’s finance-driven tool for field salespeople worldwide to include more products, customer intelligence, and envelop more customers to drive profits. She also structured a model $1 million donation from Microsoft to the National Association of Black Accountants.
Education
Bachelor of Science in International Business & Operations Information Systems Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, P.A. — 2002
Favorite Book
Professional: Cracking the Corporate Code by Price M. Cobbs and Judith L. Turnock. I was advised to read this book early in my career and it has always stuck with me.
Winning by Jack Welch
Leisure: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Recent favorite: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
BE Next Manifesto
To inspire others to practice service before self. Great service to our customers, shareholders, and community will lead to personal success and true fulfillment.