Daria Dawson

Executive Director

Daria C. Dawson is the Executive Director of America Votes, where she leads one of the country’s largest progressive coalitions, working with more than 400 state and national organizations to expand civic participation, strengthen democratic engagement, and build lasting political power.

Her work focuses on strengthening democratic participation and translating civic engagement into lasting political power — helping more people see themselves reflected in the democratic process and ensuring participation translates into influence and representation.

Since becoming Executive Director in 2024, Dawson has led America Votes through a period of significant growth and impact, overseeing the coalition’s largest-ever voter engagement program, including more than 57 million door knocks, 106 million phone calls, and over 700,000 new voter registrations nationwide.

Known for her ability to connect political strategy to lived experience, Dawson brings a grounded and compelling voice to conversations about democracy, participation, representation, and power — particularly for communities historically excluded from political influence.

Before leading America Votes, Dawson served as Director of Strategic Engagement for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and as Deputy National Political Director at SEIU, where she helped lead national advocacy tied to the Fight for $15 campaign.

Dawson has been recognized nationally as one of Business Insider’s “20 strategists to watch,” and her insights have appeared in The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, Politico, The Washington Post, USA Today, and leading political and culture podcasts.

Born and raised in Florida, Dawson is a graduate of Florida A&M University and the University of Florida Levin College of Law.