Isabella Guzman confirmed as 27th SBA administrator

Isabella Casillas Guzman has been confirmed as the 27th administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The U.S. Senate confirmed President Biden’s nominee with broad bipartisan support, 81-17 votes as SBA administrator.

This is Guzman’s second tenure at the SBA. She served in the Obama Administration as a senior advisor and the deputy chief of staff. Most recently, she served as the director of California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Guzman will represent the more than 30 million U.S. small businesses and lead an agency committed to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs start, grow and be resilient.

“Mrs. Guzman’s commitment to equity and her deep knowledge of the needs of small businesses will make her a strong advocate for all small businesses in the Biden administration,” said Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship chair Ben Cardin (D-MD).

Guzman will lead a workforce of over 9,000 SBA employees and administer its portfolio of loans, investments, disaster assistance, contracting and counseling. She will implement critical financial relief for small businesses impacted by the pandemic through the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program and additional support recently passed in the American Rescue Plan.