2023 Women Leaders in Technology: Angela Troy

Angela Troy is the Founder and CEO of Troy Consulting. Angela has over 20 years of experience providing Management Consulting. She has held leadership positions at Ernst & Young, LLP/Cap Gemini and Point B Solutions Group. Prior to management consulting, Troy worked for The Boeing Company supporting electrical power systems design and analysis (Boeing 767 AWACS) and the IBM Corporation as a manufacturing process engineer. Her years of technical and business acumen have allowed her opportunities across various industries including health care, software development, telecommunications, retail, real estate and legal.

Angela holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington (UW) and completed a certificate in Digital Transformation focused on Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, IOT and Block chain from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Angela has stayed affiliated with the University as an advocate and sponsor of the Washington State Academic RedShirt (STARS) program and the UW Minority Business Executive Program at the Foster School of Business. In addition, Angela is an active local member of the Women's President's Organization (WPO), the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council (NWMMSDC), Women in Technology, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the community of National Society of Black Engineers.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

Taking a risk. When I started my firm 17 years ago, I jumped in feet first with this mindset: I had to consistently be better than my competition, be willing to make mistakes (and learn from them), and ensure that I could build trust and confidence with my clients. Building trust with new clients and proving my competence and commitment took perseverance in this competitive environment. Today, I still maintain this mindset.

What do you enjoy most your career in the consulting industry?

Knowing that people entrust me (about and Troy Consulting) to solve some of their biggest business challenges. It's a true mix of building positive relationships with people from a variety of experiences and all walks of life and applying critical thinking skills to deliver measurable results. Hearing someone breathe easy and simply say 'thank you for making their work life easier or more efficient' is truly fulfilling. Whether it's about increasing operational efficiency for a client, celebrating a successful consultant engagement, or helping another diverse supplier prosper – every result has meaning!

With my degree in Electrical Engineering, I maintain a keen interest in data, analysis, and discovery in all that I do. It's clearly so vital in our data-driven world. That, combined with my goal of nurturing long-term and productive relationships with our clients, consultants, and community makes for a gratifying career and life.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

Having Microsoft recognize Troy Consulting as their Diverse Supplier of the Year in 2022. We had not sought out this award, so being nominated and winning such a prestigious award was beyond a proud moment in my mind! What I enjoyed the most was sharing this recognition with Troy Consulting employees who have performed so well to help build the strong and effective team we have today. It took a crew of innovative and committed people to accomplish this achievement and I am so proud of everyone who has been a part of it.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Be transparent and authentic and show people who you truly are. I apply this advice across every relationship I have and for any situation, including those with our clients, consultants and community. I'm very devoted to my clients to ensure great outcomes and trusting relationships, but it cannot stop there. For long-term success and positive outcomes, I must also be devoted to my consultants and community. I regularly have intentional, candid, and thoughtful engagements with our consultants. I also believe in contributing to my community through mentoring, advising, and donating to causes inspired by my consultants.

What does this recognition mean to you?

This recognition ties back to the best advice I was given and I embrace: Be transparent and authentic and show people who you truly are. Seventeen years ago, when I launched my consulting practice, I knew I had to stay true to my beliefs while working hard and intelligently. This recognition as a DEI Champion means that I have continued to genuinely help others while making a powerful impact for the DEI cause.