Dawn Rowlands
CEO, dentsu Africa
Dawn Rowlands is the CEO of dentsu Africa and one of the continent’s most dynamic media and marketing leaders. Overseeing 11 markets, she has transformed dentsu’s presence from a 40-person team to more than 1,500 professionals, largely built on home-grown talent. With over 30 years’ experience across multiple sectors and 12 businesses launched under her leadership, Dawn is a seasoned entrepreneur who thrives on building scalable, sustainable ecosystems that empower people, brands, and communities.
A passionate advocate for innovation with purpose, Dawn has led award-winning initiatives that blend technology, inclusivity, and impact. Under her leadership, dentsu Africa launched Merkury, the continent’s first privacy-compliant identity solution; created transformative intern-to-hire pipelines; and redirected major media investment into black-owned enterprises. She serves on dentsu’s global Social Impact board and the Loeries Middle East & Africa board and has earned numerous accolades including Businesswoman of the Year and the African Impact Award. Resilient and future-focused, Dawn continues to pioneer a creative and connected future for African marketing.
Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn