After 45 years with AT&T, Venessa Harrison announced plans to retire at the end of January.
Harrison moved to Atlanta in 2018 to serve as president of AT&T Georgia. Then, in 2022, she was given greater responsibility when she was named as president of AT&T Southeast Coastal States — a territory that includes Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
“I’ve had an amazing journey,” Harrison said in a telephone interview on Friday. “I went from the lowest-paying job in the company as an operator to a C-suite executive role.”
Harrison, who has taken on several civic roles since she’s been in Atlanta, said she is looking forward to this next chapter. But she said she would be staying in Atlanta.
“I’m just ready to do something different,” said Harrison, who had been president of AT&T–North Carolina for five years before moving to Atlanta. “I want to explore what else is out there.”
In her current role, Harrison has been responsible for leading the strategic direction of AT&T’s public policy, economic development and community engagement activities across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Harrison has taken on a host of civic roles in her Southeast territory, serving on various boards, including the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta Committee for Progress, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Georgia Historical Society and the North Carolina A&T State University Board of Trustees.
“I want to get more involved in the community,” Harrison said. “I just want to be in a position to give back and support nonprofits by using my skills and expertise in an advisory role.”
Leave a comment