The problem with your approach is that you could easily bring her coffee & donuts for years, and she could smile, thank you, and then one day just throw you under the bus because it suits her needs.
As you noted, she seeks power. The ONLY reason she will do anything to save you is if you have power, and you'll use it to help her.
The coffee & donuts approach is a superficial schmoozing approach, and Dawn Aponte is a master of that game. It is highly unlikely you will be able to manipulate her, since she basically wrote that book.
The only way you can protect yourself from Dawn Aponte is to have your own leverage & power & alliances. And this is very difficult to do, since she's probably in the top 1% at playing office politics. She's the one making excuses to get on private jets with billionaire Stephen Ross, so she can schmooz him over. It's very difficult to beat a master at their own game.