A LETTER

from Dorothy

Like you I want what is best for Greenville, which is why I am recommending my own leadership as Greenville’s best choice for Mayor. My hope is that my record of service to our community, and specifically over the last eight years to our city, has you nodding your head in agreement.

My path to this moment has never been as an aspirational politician.

Engineer working on important projects and delivering an excellent product, yes. Small business owner with a commitment to making a meaningful difference for my clients, sure. Public education champion willing to devote hours of time, talent, and treasure to the Greenville County School System, you better believe it. Community volunteer stepping up when asked to contribute in a myriad of ways over the last three decades, proud to do it. Mother and wife who preaches family first and tries to walk the talk, always.

So eight years ago when it seemed like the best way for me to use my skills in the service of our community was to run for City Council, I was 100% committed. To doing my best and making a positive impact on this city we all cherish. And I have learned a ton and accomplished a lot.

As your At-Large Representative I have had the unique privilege of getting to know all of you. And I have worked hard to study the various opportunities and challenges that each District faces. Having that complete perspective is critical to being an effective Mayor.

The ability to balance the good of the whole while understanding the needs of each District is not a skill you learn overnight.

Being an engineer, volunteer, small business owner, and Mom certainly trained me to be a good listener, consensus builder, and problem solver. But these last eight years working on every aspect of our city is an important reason I humbly submit I am our city’s best choice. Our future will be both bright and challenging. And I have spent my entire life preparing for this moment. Being Greenville’s Mayor is an enormous responsibility and I am prepared to focus 100% of my energy on our city’s success, every day.

I have worked hard to earn your trust and to protect your quality of life. It would be my honor to serve Greenville as your Mayor, and I respectfully ask for your vote.

DOROTHY DOWE

is the only candidate able to commit 100% of her time, talent & energy to the city of Greenville as Mayor.

Credentials

Leadership positions:

  • Mayor Pro Tem – Greenville City Council, 2025 to present

  • Vice Mayor Pro Tem – Greenville City Council, 2021 to 2025

  • Greenlink Transit Development Plan Update Steering Committee, 2026

  • Greenville Zoo Foundation – Greenville City Council representative, 2024 to present

  • United Ministries Board of Directors, 2022 to 2026

  • Upstate LGBT+ Chamber Advisory Board, 2022 to present

  • Greenville Transit Authority - Greenville City Council representative, 2019 to 2026

  • Greenville Downtown Airport - Greenville City Council representative, 2019 to present

  • VisitGreenvilleSC Greenville City Council representative and board member, 2019 to present

  • Alta Vista Neighborhood Association, President, 2018 to 2019

  • Greenville Public Safety Citizen Review Board, 2017 to 2019, Chair 2018 to 2019

  • League of Women Voters, Director at Large, 2017 to 2019

  • Greenville High School Guidance Advisory Committee Chair, 2010 to 2011

  • Westminster Presbyterian Church Session, 2009 to 2012

  • South Carolina PTSA Southwest Council Chair, 2007 to 2008

  • Greenville Middle Academy PTA President, 2007 to 2008

  • Pleasant Valley Connection Board Member, 2006 to 2009

  • Augusta Circle Elementary School PTA President, 2006 to 2007

  • Rosewood House of Recovery Board Member, 1998 to 2000

Professional Training & Certification:

  • Municipal Association of South Carolina Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute – certification completed 2023

  • Furman University Riley Fellow, Diversity Leadership Institute – certification completed 2023

  • Municipal Association of South Carolina Municipal Elected Officials Institute – certification completed 2021

  • Climate Reality Leadership Corps – certification completed 2020

Work experience:

  • Strategic Vectors Academic Planning & Consulting, Greenville, South Carolina – Co-Founder & Director, 2010 to present

  • Got Math?, Greenville, South Carolina – Founder and Director, 2010 to 2019

  • Jacobs Engineering Group, Greenville, South Carolina – Project Manager, 1995 to 1998

  • CRS Sirrine Engineers, Greenville, South Carolina – Process Engineer, 1989 to 1995

  • International Paper Company, Mobile, Alabama – Project Engineer, 1985 to 1989

Affiliations:

  • Upcountry History Museum, 2022 to present

  • TreesUpstate Red Maple Society, 2021 to present

  • Greenville Women Giving, 2018 to present

  • Friends of the Reedy River, 2018 to present

  • Democratic Women of Greenville County, 2017 to present

  • League of Women Voters of Greenville County, 2017 to present

  • University of SC Alumni Association, 1997 to present

  • Alabama Society of Professional Engineers, 1991 to present

  • Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1989 to present

  • Caine Halter Family YMCA, 1989 to present

  • Duke University Alumni Association, 1985 to present

Education:

  • Master of Business Administration, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, 1997

  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Duke University, 1985

Community Service:

  • Meals on Wheels Weekly Delivery, 2020 to present

  • Westminster Presbyterian Church Covid Task Force, 2020 to 2023

  • Habitat for Humanity, 2017 to 2023

  • Greenville Literacy Association, math tutor, 2016 to 2020

  • Duke University Alumni Interviewer, 2011 to 2016

  • Greenville High All Sports Booster Club Board, 2008 to 2014

  • Greenville High PTSA Board, 2007 to 2014

  • Greenville Middle Academy PTA Board, 2004 to 2010

  • Westminster Presbyterian Church Sunday School Teacher, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010

  • Augusta Circle Elementary School PTA Board, 2000 to 2007

Philanthropic support

  • Salvation Army Rebuilding Hope Restoring Lives Campus Expansion (2026)

  • Prisma Health Foundation Pulmonary Health Studies (2026)

  • Greenville Tech Foundation (2026)

  • Warehouse Theater (2025)

  • Dowe Family Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Fund, Prisma Health Foundation (2025)

  • William W. Kellett III, MD Scholarship Endowment, Prisma Health Foundation (2025)

  • Mattoon Presbyterian Church Renovation (2024)

  • Meals on Wheels New Facility (2024)

  • Caine Halter YMCA Outdoor Pool Enclosure (2023)

  • Dos Alas Support Fund (2022)

  • Gateway House (2022)

  • Mary Huse Africa Plaza, Greenville Zoo Foundation (2022)

  • Rupert Huse Veteran Center (2021-present)

  • Greenville Humane Society Generator and Facility Expansion (2024)

  • United Ministries (2019-2025)

  • Union College Locker Room Expansion (2019)

Personal:

  • Greenville resident: 37 years

  • Married to Steve Dowe: 37 years

  • Two married children: Parker (31) and Rachel Dowe; Bailey (33) and Mike Nelson; Grandson: Julian

  • Avid runner, moderate cyclist and strength training enthusiast