Dr. Dawn Batts has over two decades of experience, analyzing business opportunities, developing and implementing strategic plans, and managing their subsequent operations. Her diverse professional experiences and research have led to her solutions-based approach in addressing the myriad of factors causing economic disparities experienced by women and African Americans.
As the CEO of Milestone Growth Capital Institute, Dawn secures and aligns resources to help diverse angel investors and entrepreneurs. Dawn previously served as the Director of Growth Capital for TechTown Detroit and was the curator of their Catalyst Angel Program. She was a co-founder of Commune Angels, a diverse community of investors who funded scalable consumer, enterprise and life science companies that transform lives. Dawn’s unwavering commitment to support angel investors and entrepreneurs in the ecosystem reflects her dedication to fostering collaboration, innovation, and economic growth.

Dawn is a frequent speaker and has moderated or participated in panels at the Angel Capital Association, Michigan Venture Capital Association, Women of Color and Capital, Midwest House at SXSW, Michigan Angel Summit, and the Sports, Tech, and Venture Summit among others. Dawn also speaks to global entrepreneurial communities on behalf of the US Department of State.

Dawn has served on a variety of local and national non-profit boards. She is a gubernatorial appointee to the Michigan Early-Stage Venture Investment Corporation Board and serves as a board member of the Angel Capital Association. Dawn also serves on Living Cities – Inclusive Capital Council.

Dawn has a B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University, her MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, and her PhD in Anthropology from Wayne State University.