Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Bonnie Borch-Rote as Next Executive Director of SDO

Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Bonnie Borch-Rote has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). The SDO, regarded as the most inclusive state supplier diversity office in the nation, is dedicated to increasing opportunities for small and diverse Massachusetts businesses through robust outreach, certification, and education.

Borch-Rote has 14 years of public service experience, almost 13 of them with the SDO. Before her appointment to the Executive Director role, she was the SDO’s Director for Performance and Project Management and served as the agency’s General Counsel. She also worked in the SDO’s Certification and Outreach units, when the SDO was part of the Operational Services Division (OSD). 

“Our administration is proud to announce Bonnie’s appointment,” said Governor Maura Healey. “She has demonstrated her commitment to small and diverse businesses, and she knows that our economy is stronger when we lower barriers to participation. She is exactly who we want leading this important agency.”  

“The Supplier Diversity Office will be in excellent hands with Bonnie at the helm,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “I look forward to working with her as SDO continues advancing equity in Massachusetts and elevating our small and diverse businesses.” 

Borch-Rote replaces Bill McAvoy, who is retiring after 36 years in public service. McAvoy helped lead the SDO to become an independent agency and served as its Executive Director since 2015. 

“We are excited for Bonnie to assume leadership of the Supplier Diversity Office, and grateful to Bill for ensuring that the agency is well-positioned for success following his retirement,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “I look forward to seeing Bonnie take the SDO to the next level by continuing to expand what the state can do for diverse and small businesses.”

“I’ve worked with Bonnie for all of her career with the state, and I can’t think of anyone better to lead the SDO,” said former Executive Director Bill McAvoy. “With her knowledge, commitment, and expertise, I am confident that she will bring even greater success to the SDO in the coming years.” 

The SDO certifies diverse (minority, women, veteran, service-disabled veteran, disability, and LGBT-owned) and small businesses, which helps increase their marketability in the state’s bidding process. The SDO also connects these companies with business opportunities and resources, and collaborates with Executive Agencies and public organizations to identify and remove barriers for diverse and small businesses.

“I’m honored and humbled at this opportunity,” said incoming Executive Director Bonnie Borch-Rote. “Massachusetts has one of the most innovative supplier diversity programs in the country, and I’m excited to continue what Bill McAvoy and the Healey-Driscoll Administration have done to connect marginalized businesses with state contracting.”

Borch-Rote will look to continue the SDO’s success in increasing the number of diverse and small businesses that do business with the Commonwealth. Since 2015, the number of SDO-certified businesses more than doubled from 2,794 in FY2015 to 5,669 in FY2023, an increase of 103%. Spending from SDO programs rose from $959 million in FY2015 to $2.147 billion in FY2023, an increase of 124%. 

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