Angela Faye Dodd
Angela Dodd is a Strategic Growth Architect and founder of the Acceleration Blueprint™, where she specializes in helping founders, institutions, and communities scale with clarity and confidence. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, real estate, nonprofit innovation, and community development, Angela has guided underrepresented founders and mission-driven organizations through complex growth transitions. Her expertise lies in translating emerging technologies—like AI and digital platforms—into practical applications that enhance engagement, optimize processes, and drive measurable impact.
Throughout her career, Angela has led initiatives that combine financial strategy, human-centered design, and community collaboration. At Cleveland Avenue, she established partnerships that supported the growth of Black, Latino, and women-owned businesses, while also overseeing programs that expanded youth mental health services and increased community engagement through digital platforms. In real estate and development, she has successfully transformed distressed properties, delivering substantial returns while managing skilled teams and complex projects.
Angela’s work is driven by a commitment to equitable access, sustainability, and innovation. She bridges the gap between technology and organizational needs, ensuring solutions are adopted and understood by all stakeholders. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a published author and a sought-after speaker, inspiring others with her insights on leadership, resilience, and strategic growth. Her approach blends business rigor with human-centered design, helping teams, organizations, and communities thrive.
• Certified Practitioner, Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile, EMP
• The Six Morning Habits of High Performers
• University of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Education- M.B.A.
• Purdue University- B.S.
• DePaul University
• Former Presint and VP of the board of Purdue Black Alumni Organization
• One-on-One Chicago
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of education, professional experience, and life lessons—each moment that required me to pause, pivot, and think beyond the obvious shaped my approach to leadership, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. My engineering foundation, sharpened by an MBA and decades of consultative work, taught me to solve problems creatively, challenge convention, and lead with purpose, while personal experiences like raising my daughter and caring for my mother reinforced the importance of trust, intention, and resilience.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering entrepreneurship to focus first on creating meaningful value that truly solves a problem, build relationships before chasing revenue, and remain open to challenges while leveraging networks thoughtfully and intentionally.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, discipline, open communication, and being fully present. I am also deeply committed to financial literacy, using storytelling and education to empower the African American community and make financial confidence accessible to all.