Doug Dawson

Doug Dawson has been a groundbreaking force in corporate communications for almost three decades. As Vice President of Global Communications at Microsoft, he leads an international team responsible for positioning Microsoft as the most trusted and innovative company in every country it operates.

In the past year, Doug's leadership at Microsoft became increasingly critical as the world underwent a profound transformation driven by rapid advancements in technology and communication. The rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) was reshaping industries, revolutionizing how businesses operate and interact with their customers. Doug's ability to navigate the evolving communications landscape, while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by AI, positioned Microsoft at the forefront of innovation. Doug's key achievements include orchestrating a strategic restructuring of the entire global communications team, optimizing a global agency model to realize greater economies of scale, and pioneering AI adoption by effectively integrating AI into Microsoft's communications workflows. These changes have resulted in increased employee satisfaction, a more inclusive culture, higher impact storytelling and education for both internal teams and external customers on the best practices for implementing AI solutions. Doug's exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and innovative approach to global communications make him a deserving candidate for PRWeek’s Global In-House Professional award. His dedication to excellence and ability to inspire underscore that he is a standout leader in the field of corporate communications.