Hi, I'm Adrianna Wolaver.

I'm a people-first, systems-minded product leader with 10+ years of experience in Government, Not-for-Profits, and Entrepreneurship. I build with, coach, and empower teams to deliver customized solutions that transform complex challenges into elegant experiences.

I thrive when working with mission-driven teams to develop business strategies and build tools that actually make sense for the people using them. I'm an accidental techie who stumbled into tech out of necessity and stayed because I discovered I love building things that matter.

How I Found My Path

My journey began in refugee resettlement, where resource constraints and pressing human needs collided daily. What started as fixing up old Access databases and becoming the office "power user" evolved into something much bigger. I discovered that by understanding both human needs and technical possibilities, I could bridge worlds that rarely communicated effectively.

At Kids in Need of Defense, I stepped into my first business-side product owner role, serving as the crucial liaison between our legal team and software developers. I translated legal workflows into customized features that actually made sense for attorneys working with vulnerable children. Watching their relief when systems finally worked with them instead of against them - that moment changed my career trajectory.

Now, I lead two teams of product owners creating customized government solutions. I've guided complex systems integrations, built API connections, and designed architectures that connect previously siloed systems. Along the way, I've become dangerous enough with SQL to build what some colleagues have kindly described as "slick" reporting tools.

My Approach to Problem Solving

Design thinking transformed how I approach challenges. I see opportunities where others see roadblocks. When resources are tight (and when aren't they?), I've embraced citizen development through Microsoft PowerPlatform tools, designing and building end-to-end solutions that would otherwise never get resourced.

All of this is self-taught and represents my core belief: technology should serve people, not the other way around. I'm particularly passionate about accessibility and inclusive design because I've seen firsthand how thoughtfully designed systems can remove barriers that never needed to exist.

I take an empathetic and comprehensive approach to both product and team development. I bring people together in collaboration, make complex issues understandable, and create sustainable processes that support rather than hinder the work.

For over a decade, I've honed my skills in systems thinking, relationship building, and technical implementation - always focusing on enhancing the human experience. I absolutely love solving complex problems and get excited at any opportunity to build, especially with other passionate people who care about making things better.