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Tené Dolphin

profile picture of Tené Dolphin
Executive Director

With more than 25 years of experience, Tené Dolphin, has served in both local and national positions with a primary focus on policies and programs that create opportunities for all. Most recently Tené provided strategic and operational leadership for Wells Fargo’s Small Business Growth Philanthropy.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Tené served as the director for the newly constructed Office of Business Diversity and Opportunity for the City of Birmingham. In that role she established the Mayor’s Inaugural Small Business Council, developed the City’s inclusive procurement program, launched a disparity study, served on the supplier diversity council for the 2022 World Games and created essential local and national partnerships connecting resources to the City’s small business community.

Before spending time in Alabama, Tené spent most of her career in Washington DC. In 2017 she was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser to support critical local business initiatives. As the Senior Deputy Director for the Department of Small and Local Business Development Tené provided oversight for the City’s Certified Business Enterprise program, the Aspire program and the Made in DC program.

In 2008 she was appointed to Senior Executive Service by President Barack Obama for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She first served as the director of the Office of the Executive Secretariat and then as the Chief of Staff for the Economic Development Administration (EDA). While at EDA Tené elevated the work of Historically Black Colleges and University’s and coordinated White House, departmental and agency strategic initiatives.

Prior to her federal service Tené led a massive volunteer corps for then candidate Adrian Fenty. Upon the success of the campaign Mayor Adrian Fenty appointed Tené to serve as his Chief of Staff and the interim director for the Department of Employment Services.

Tené began her career of service as a teacher in the Prince George’s County Public Schools. Among a classroom full of third graders she helped her students see education as a means to provide economic opportunity.

Tené is a proud graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., with a degree in Psychology. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Leader Greater Washington’s 2012 Class. She is an active humanitarian, volunteering for several local and national organizations. Her highest honor is being mom to her amazing son.