Who Is Isabel Guzman?

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Nathan Reiff
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Nathan Reiff has been writing expert articles and news about financial topics such as investing and trading, cryptocurrency, ETFs, and alternative investments on Investopedia since 2016.
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Updated April 02, 2021

Isabel Guzman is the administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Prior to holding this office, she had served as the director of California's Office of the Small Business Advocate since 2019. She was nominated by then-President-elect Joe Biden for the position in early January 2021, confirmed by the Senate on March 16, 2021, and took office the next day.

Isabel Guzman

Ellen Lindner / Investopedia

As administrator, Guzman is responsible for overseeing the SBA in its work to help Americans plan, launch, and grow small businesses. The SBA provides business counseling, loans, federal government contracting, and other related services. It has been particularly active in providing support to small businesses struggling as a result of the 2020 financial crisis, having approved more loans in its 2020 fiscal year than in all previous years combined.

In her previous position as director of California's Office of the Small Business Advocate, Guzman oversaw initiatives to aid Californian small businesses in adopting new technologies to reopen during the pandemic, and she initiated a $500 million business grant program. Prior to that, she was deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet of the Small Business Administration during President Barack Obama's second term.

Guzman is widely viewed as a strong choice for the position. While the SBA usually has a low profile compared to other cabinet posts, Guzman faces major challenges in further bolstering small businesses during the pandemic. This includes managing the ongoing work related to the Paycheck Protection Program, which launched during the administration of former President Donald Trump.

Early Career and Education

Guzman's father was a veterinarian who ran his own business. Her earlier career includes work as founder of GovContractPros, a consultancy aiming to help businesses navigate the more than $500 billion worth of federal contracts potentially available to them.

Guzman holds degrees in business and economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

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  1. Small Business Administration. "Isabella Casillas Guzman Confirmed as 27th SBA Administrator." Accessed April 1, 2021.

  2. Small Business Administration. "Isabella Casillas Guzman." Accessed April 1, 2021.

  3. The New York Times. "Biden Selects Heads of Labor, Commerce, and Small Business Agencies." Accessed Feb. 17, 2021.

  4. Small Business Administration. "Small Business Administration." Accessed Feb. 16, 2021.

  5. Small Business Administration. "Agency Financial Report, Fiscal Year 2020," Page 1. Accessed April 1, 2021.

  6. Business Insider. "Biden Picks Former SBA Staffer Isabel Guzman to Serve as Administrator." Accessed Feb. 16, 2021.

  7. Inc.com. "President-Elect Joe Biden Selects Isabel Guzman to Lead the SBA." Accessed Feb. 16, 2021.

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