Angela Dowd-Burton is an award-winning business professional with over twenty-five years of diverse business experience and public service. She has served in global roles in finance, supply chain management, business development, and held local government positions as deputy director of finance, procurement commissioner, and deputy director of commerce managing the office of economic opportunity. Angela has held executive positions at Dow Chemical, Rohm and Haas, Sunoco, Mobil, City of Philadelphia, and the Women’s Business Development Center.
Angela is founder and president of DowdBurton & Associates, LLC a consulting firm dedicated to providing public, private, and non-profit organizations with a robust supplier diversity strategy that engages, builds, and sustains small businesses.
Angela was appointed by Mayor Michael Nutter and reappointed by Mayor Jim Kenney to serve as the Deputy Commerce Director and Executive Director for the Office of Economic Opportunity. She leveraged the business services of the Commerce Department to strengthen the capacity of small businesses to successfully contract within the public, private, and non-profit sectors. During her appointment, disadvantaged businesses increased registration with the city by more than 90% and were awarded 30% of city contract dollars. She oversaw Economic Opportunity Review Committees governing over $2 billion in capital projects in the public, private and non-profit markets.
Angela was elected to the Drexel University Board of Trustees in 2020. She serves on the Drexel University LeBow College of Business Advisory Board; LeBow Bridge Advisory Council; and the University City District Board of Directors. Angela is Editor in Chief of DUBAC “A Legacy to Share, Navigating Life’s Challenges and Celebrating Our Greatest Achievements” which was released in 2022. This book was honored with a Philadelphia City Council Resolution and received Silver and Bronze Awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
Angela is a former member of the Cabrini University Board of Trustees and Nunery Leadership Institute Advisory Board. She was also president of the Garden Court Community Association. Angela is founder and President-Emeritus of the Women’s Leadership Forum of Greater Philadelphia, connecting corporate networks that empower and expand the professional growth and advancement of women. She also served as co-chair of the Women’s Initiative of the United Way responsible for launching the Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow Program.
Angela is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) and served as vice president of operations on the national board, editor of the national newsletter, and president of the Philadelphia Chapter. Past leadership roles also include chair of the Philadelphia City Council Economic Opportunity Review Committee; board member of the Drexel University Board of Governors; The Enterprise Center; and chair of the Board of FreedomTheatre. Angela is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Dowd-Burton has received numerous awards and acknowledgments including: Philadelphia Tribune 2018 Women Achieving Recognition for significant contributions made to her respective organizations and the community; 2016 Citation from Mayor Jim Kenney and the Philadelphia Commerce Department; induction into the Drexel 100 Alumni Hall of Fame 2015; Asian-American Chamber of Commerce Small Business Champion 2015; U.S. Small Business Administration Minority Business Champion of the Year Award 2013; the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council of PA-DE-sNJ Shining Star Award; featured in the Drexel LeBow MBA marketing promotion as “Dedicated, Driven, and Decisive”; Drexel University Harriet E. Worrell Award; Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction Award; two Rohm and Haas Vice President’s Awards; The Philadelphia Bowl presented by Mayor W. W. Goode; Drexel University Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Award; West Philadelphia Catholic Prep High School Hall of Fame; Dollars & Sense Magazine Best and Brightest Business Professional; National Black MBA Association’s H. Naylor Fitzhugh Award of Relevance and NBMBAA Philadelphia Chapter Member of the Year 2011 Award.
Angela holds an MBA in finance and a B.S. degree in accounting from Drexel University.
