Downey is Head of Policy and Federal Government Affairs, US, for bp. She leads all legislative and regulatory affairs outreach to the Federal Government, holds relationships with key officials and staff, and ensures the delivery of government affairs objects in support of bp’s business interests. As head of policy in the US, she is responsible for an expansive issues management program, in close coordination with bp’s global policy function, that anticipates and responds to key legislative, regulatory, and political trends. As part of the global communications and advocacy function at bp, Downey serves in a key role to enhance bp’s credibility externally and create value for its businesses.
Downey is an attorney with over 10 years of Federal Government experience in both the legislative and executive branches working on energy, environment, resources, and transportation policy.  Throughout her government career, she successfully directed several high-profile policy initiatives through the regulatory and legislative processes. Her last government role was in senior leadership at the U.S. Department of Interior as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.  Before this, she spent close to 8 years in the U.S. Senate serving in various positions including counsel and policy advisor to Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), a member of Senate leadership and a senior appropriator.  Prior to her time in the Senate, she served in the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability at the U.S. Department of Energy.
Downey grew up in Northern Virginia and St. Louis, Missouri. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.