Hi, I'm

Rashidah Lawson.

Acquisition Entrepreneur

As the eldest child of a former Marine and (DC) Metropolitan Police Officer, I always knew I would have to lead a life that would set an example for my younger brothers. We grew up in Maryland, just outside of DC, and were closely watched over by our parents, who lovingly expected our best in anything we pursued.

This upbringing permitted me to earn a full tuition scholarship through the Posse Foundation, where I studied International Affairs at Lafayette College. While on campus, I met my incredible husband, Adrian, an aspiring engineer and Division I athlete. It was also on Lafayette’s campus that my love for world travel was ignited: I traveled to India, South Africa, and Argentina as a student and have traveled to more than a dozen other countries since then. This global perspective has certainly shaped my leadership style.

Post college graduation, I moved back to DC to teach high school to some of our city’s most talented students. Though I didn’t expect to stay there long, I was hooked by the difference I was making and the students’ inspiring stories. That work led me to school leadership as a Vice Principal, Principal, and later as a Chief Academic Officer. It also brought me to Boston, MA for a while, before returning back to DC in the COVID era. Once back in DC, I began to work as an independent consultant, bolstering the efficacy of non-profit executives, looking to develop their team management and organizational development skills.

Though I always worked tremendously hard for my “w-2” job, my husband and I have always been entrepreneurial, purchasing several homes and managing long term-rentals while overseeing the major renovation of a few of our properties. I’m also deeply attuned to the plight of many birthing parents in our country, who might have adverse health outcomes once they’ve given birth. Its why I started MatriLife, an organization aimed at eradicating maternity-related deaths and life-threatening complications.

All of this work has led me to the Global Executive MBA program at the Darden School of Business (UVA). Through this program, I am accelerating my business acumen and meeting the most incredible people in my classmates, professors, and alumni.

I’ve been preparing for this acquisition journey for a while now, even if I hadn’t always known it. I’m ready to jump in!