Ellen Harpel, PhD
Dr. Harpel is the founder and president of Business Development Advisors.
Prior to founding BDA, Dr. Harpel was a manager with the professional services firm Deloitte & Touche, where she advised economic development organizations on business attraction, growth and retention strategies through the Fantus Consulting division. She also served as an Associate with Charles Percy & Associates, an international business advisory firm in Washington, DC, where she worked with US companies to expand their markets overseas. She has also worked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Home Builders. Through these experiences Dr. Harpel has gained a broad knowledge of the economic, real estate and market factors that drive growth and development in businesses and communities.
Dr. Harpel is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Council for Community and Economic Research, the International Economic Development Council, and the European Network for Research on Services (RESER). She also serves on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Northern Virginia Streetcar Coalition and as an advisor to The 2030 Group, a regional business leadership group focusing on growth in Greater Washington.
Dr. Harpel’s recent publications include, “Human Capital Policies in Practice – Thinking Beyond Young Talent” (Applied Research in Economic Development, 2009); “Human Capital and Women Business Ownership” (US Small Business Administration, 2008); “Professional and Business Services in Regional Economies” (IEDC Economic Development Journal, Summer 2006); and “A Governor’s Guide to Strengthening State Entrepreneurship Policy” (National Governors Association, 2004 – contributor).
Dr. Harpel earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1988, a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina in 1995, and a doctoral degree in regional economics from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy in 2006.