Stony Brook Small Business Development Center advisor Willa Smith has been awarded America’s SBDC 2024 “State Star” Award for New York.  This recognition highlights her exemplary performance and significant contributions to the SBDC program and small business community.

Since rejoining the Stony Brook SBDC team in 2020, Smith has assisted 467 clients, helping them secure over $61.5 million in loans, grants, and other financing and save or create 2,404 jobs. Her expertise in credit underwriting, risk assessment, and financial analysis has been instrumental in guiding business owners to secure funding and grow their operations.

Smith will be celebrated, along with other State Stars from across the U.S., at the upcoming America’s SBDC Annual Conference in Atlanta this September.