Our Team

Antonio Aguilar Jr.

Central/Northern California Senior Outreach Manager

Antonio manages Small Business Majority's outreach efforts in the Central Valley and Northern California. In this role, Antonio develops relationships with business partners, small business owners and community leaders to promote economic change in the heart of California.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority Antonio worked for one of the largest community action agencies in the nation, where he focused on learning and development, as well as organizational culture. In his most recent role, Antonio led efforts in organizing and planning quarterly leadership retreats, a newly launched manager training series, and an all staff conference for more than 600 employees. 

Additionally, Antonio has more than seven years of human resources experience primarily in social services. Antonio has run the HR department of a private behavioral health agency, as well as operations for an adolescent substance abuse treatment agency. Antonio was born and raised in Fresno County, and now resides in Sanger where he serves on the city’s Planning Commission. He is passionate about providing resources and opportunities to underserved communities and wants to continue to give back to those in need. Antonio is fluent in Spanish.


Gerente Senior de Alcance Comunitario en el centro y el norte de California

Antonio administra los esfuerzos de alcance comunitario de Small Business Majority en el Valle de San Joaquín Central. En esta posición, Antonio desarrolla relaciones con socios comerciales, propietarios de pequeñas empresas y líderes comunitarios para promover cambios económicos en el corazón de California. 

Antes de unirse a Small Business Majority Antonio trabajó para una de las agencias de acción comunitaria más grandes de la nación, donde se enfocó en el aprendizaje y desarrollo, así como la organización cultural. En su más reciente puesto, Antonio dirigió esfuerzos para organizar y planear retiros de liderazgo trimestrales, una nueva serie de capacitación para gerentes lanzada recientemente y una conferencia de más de 600 empleados. 

Además, Antonio tiene más de siete años en recursos humanos en servicios sociales. Antonio ha dirigido el departamento de recursos humanos de una agencia privada de salud conductual, así como las operaciones de una agencia de tratamiento de abuso de sustancias para adolescentes. Antonio nació y creció en el Condado de Fresno, y ahora reside en Sanger donde es miembro de la Comisión de Planificación. A él le apasiona proporcionar recursos y oportunidades a comunidades desatendidas y quiere continuar ayudando a aquellos que lo necesiten. Antonio habla Español.

Contact Antonio »
Will Arensmeyer

Will Arensmeyer

Engagement Assistant

Will Arensmeyer is Small Business Majority's Engagement Assistant, responsible for building and maintaining relationships with small business owners, conducting interviews and meetings, and helping to manage the organization's small business database. His work supports Small Business Majority's efforts to amplify the voices of small businesses within its network.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Will interned with the City of Lubbock, Texas, where he provided support to the Mayor and City Council. He also interned for Small Business Majority in the Engagement Department. Will holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Texas Tech University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration.

Contact Will »
John Arensmeyer

John Arensmeyer

Founder & CEO

Follow John on Twitter @JohnArensmeyer

John Arensmeyer has used his long experience as a small business owner to build Small Business Majority into a nationally recognized organization focused on empowering America's entrepreneurs to build a thriving and equitable economy. Small Business Majority is the leading advocate for critical public policy issues facing America’s small businesses—particularly access to capital, healthcare, taxes, fair competition, childcare, retirement/asset building and numerous workforce issues. In recent years John has spearheaded the growth of Small Business Majority’s Venturize.org portal, providing critical practical resources to our nation’s 34 million small businesses and independent self-employed entrepreneurs.

Prior to launching Small Business Majority 19 years ago, John was the founder and CEO of ACI Interactive, an award-winning international interactive communications company. Information Week named ACI's signature product one of the nation's top 100 e-business innovations, and the company was cited by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the top 100 fastest growing private companies in the Bay Area. Earlier, John was the chief operating officer of a pioneering multimedia business, an attorney in New York, an aide to the mayor of Philadelphia and a staff member on Capitol Hill.

John is a frequent speaker on small business policy issues and a regular guest on TV and radio, including MSNBC's Your Business, PBS NewsHour, Fox News, Bloomberg TV, NPR's Marketplace and the CBS Evening News. In 2009 he was an active participant at the White House summit on healthcare reform. He testifies regularly before congressional committees, and has briefed White House officials and congressional leadership on small business policy issues. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Access to Markets initiative and is an Ally of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism. He recently served as Board Chair of California's Insure the Uninsured Project. He has led a study group at Harvard's Kennedy School of Politics and has served on the Association for Enterprise Opportunity's Economic Impact Council and Micro Capital Task Force.

Contact John »
Robert Bennett

Robert Bennett

Small Business Engagement Director

Robert Bennett oversees the process of building and fostering relationships with small business owners, business organizations, and advocacy groups with a particular focus on cultivating spokesperson engagement activities for the Small Business Majority spokesperson program. He also manages the National Small Business Council, a grassroots leadership program that offers significant contributions to Small Business Majority’s work.

Before joining Small Business Majority, Robert worked with various national nonprofit organizations such as the National Homelessness Law Center and the ALS Association, where he was responsible for diversifying revenue programs and strengthening existing corporate partnerships. Most recently, Robert served as Business Operations Specialist with the Society for Human Resource Management, a professional association dedicated to empowering people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and by maximizing human potential.

Robert serves as a member of Small Business Majority’s DEI Council.

Contact Robert »
Kathy Berry

Kathleen E. Berry, PHR

Vice President, Operations

Kathy Berry directs Small Business Majority’s finance, human resources and administrative operations. She has more than 35 years of business management experience, including more than 20 years in small entrepreneurial environments, having helped grow three small businesses in the arenas of healthcare, interactive technology and online education. She also has held senior positions with companies and organizations focused on technology, law and housing. 

Prior to joining Small Business Majority 11 years ago, Kathy served as a Director at iMind Education Systems and as Director of Operations for ACI Interactive, where she oversaw administration, human resources and accounting. Immediately before joining Small Business Majority, she was Human Resources Manager for Freed & Associates, a boutique healthcare consulting firm. She serves as Small Business Majority’s Secretary-Treasurer.

Kathy serves as Co-Chair of Small Business Majority’s DEI Council.

Contact Kathy »
Bianca Blomquist

Bianca Blomquist

California Director

Bianca Blomquist leads Small Business Majority’s California operations, including outreach on programs and policy, external affairs, fundraising, and legislative activities. Bianca serves on the Board of the California EDGE Coalition and on the Board of California Association of Main Streets (CAMS). In addition to her role as California Director, Bianca leads Small Business Majority's federal policy portfolio on labor and employment law issues. She is also on the Steering Committee for the California Work & Family Coalition (CAWFC), as an Advisory Board Member of the Northern California SBDC Regional Network, and on an advisory group for Covered California. 

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Bianca served as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill for a member of the House Financial Services Committee. She lobbied for five years on healthcare, transportation, labor and trade issues in Washington, D.C. Throughout her career, Bianca has campaigned in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin on state and national initiatives that impact the status of working families throughout the country. Bianca graduated from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona with a Masters in Legal Science on healthcare and tax policy.

Contact Bianca »
Matt Brandenburger

Matt Brandenburger

Engagement Assistant

Matt Brandenburger is Small Business Majority's engagement assistant, working to build and maintain relationships with small business owners, contributing to the organization's small business database and conducting interviews with small business owners. Additionally, he supports the development of Small Business Majority's spokesperson program. Previously, Matt was an International Security Assistance Intern at CRDF Global in Arlington, V.A. supporting their Partnership for Nuclear Threat Reduction-Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (PNTR-NDF) team. 

Contact Matt »
Simon Brown

Simon Brown

Director of Public Relations

Simon Brown is responsible for planning and executing all media relations campaigns and strategies at the national, state and local levels, as well as building the public profiles of Small Business Majority’s spokespeople. Simon worked in a similar capacity at Small Business Majority from 2016-2019.

Prior to rejoining Small Business Majority in 2024, Simon led media relations at New America, where he promoted the work of some of the nation’s leading scholars. Simon also spent four years as a strategic communications consultant, developing media strategies and thought leadership profiles for clients in the tech startup and non-profit spaces. And before that, Simon spent eight years in non-profit communications where his responsibilities included leading media outreach, developing messaging, and conducting media training. Simon began his communications career in journalism, first covering sports for outlets including Sports Illustrated and NBC, where he won a Sports Emmy for his coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics. He later reported on state and federal tax policy for a trade publication. Simon comes from a family of entrepreneurs.

Contact Simon »
Tasha Brown

Tasha Brown

Midwest Director

Tasha directs Small Business Majority's outreach, education and policy efforts in the Midwest region from our Chicago office where she focuses on enhancing financial security for small business owners, their employees and their families. 

Tasha has a breadth of experience across multiple industries and disciplines including government, education and entrepreneurship. Before joining Small Business Majority, Tasha worked with more than 300 entrepreneurs to help them launch or grow their business. She led the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the South Suburban location of the Women’s Business Development Center. Tasha is a member of the 2023 Chicago Foundation for Women’s Willie’s Warriors Leadership cohort, the Global Partnership for Poverty and Entrepreneurship at the Keouogh School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, and the Governing Council of Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where I serve as the UCC Clergy Representative. She was the 2020 recipient of the Economic Development Award from the South Suburban Small Business Association. She has spoken frequently with the media to share her insights on the state of Black-owned businesses in the South suburban area of Chicago.

Contact Tasha »
David Chase

David Chase

Vice President, Policy & Advocacy

David Chase is responsible for setting Small Business Majority's policy agenda and developing a corresponding advocacy strategy, in collaboration with our federal government affairs team and state policy directors. Before joining Small Business Majority in 2010, he served in the office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, where he built coalitions with business and other stakeholder groups to advance the governor's agenda. David was part of the team responsible for building the coalition behind Governor Schwarzenegger's 2007 bipartisan healthcare reform proposal.

Contact David »
Rebekah Chase

Rebekah Chase

Controller

Rebekah Chase is Small Business Majority's Controller. She maintains the organization’s accounting systems, prepares financial reports and assists in budget development. She also works with the Grants department to prepare, review and report on grant contracts.

Rebekah has more than a decade of experience in the non-profit, private and public sectors that includes fiscal planning, auditing and administering employee benefit programs. Before joining Small Business Majority more than five years ago, she was the Director of Accounting for a school district in California where she oversaw budget development, accounts payable/receiveable and other business operations. Rebekah began her career doing bookkeeping and auditing at a small business.

Rebekah recently successfully completed her Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) Advanced instruction program through The Nonprofit CPA’s Alliance.

Contact Rebekah »
Connor Coursey photo

Connor Coursey

Government Affairs Associate

Connor supports Small Business Majority’s government affairs work through the organization’s relationships and advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, the Biden-Harris administration, federal agencies, and the White House. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Connor was an Assistant Policy Officer at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), where he supported policy advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill to expand and strengthen federal affordable housing and community development policies. Before that, Connor interned at Invariant Government Relations and with the Offices of Representatives Steny Hoyer and Jamie Raskin. 

Contact Connor »
Alexis D'Amato

Alexis D'Amato

Government Affairs Director

Alexis manages Small Business Majority’s government affairs work through the organization’s relationships on Capitol Hill, the Biden-Harris administration, federal agencies and the White House. Alexis ensures Small Business Majority’s national network of entrepreneurs and partner organizations stay up to date and actively involved in all relevant federal affairs developments, including legislative and regulatory developments as well as coalition engagement, to achieve the organization’s federal policy goals. Through her work, Alexis advocates for the voices of Main Street America and the organizations that support them through the federal policymaking process. 

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Alexis served as the Director of Government Affairs at Prism Group, a bi-partisan government affairs firm located in Washington, D.C., where she managed and oversaw the government affairs and policy activity for clients in the small business, entrepreneurship and procurement portfolio. 

Alexis is a graduate of the George Washington University with a Master of Arts in Political Science. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Women in Government Relations and the Birmingham-Southern College Young Alumni Council.

Contact Alexis »
Elena Ellingson-Cosenza

Elena Ellingson-Cosenza

Policy Communications Associate

Elena Ellingson-Cosenza serves as Small Business Majority’s Policy Communications Associate. She supports the organization’s policy communications on the state and federal level and writes research reports. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Elena worked in the Office of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer as a Speechwriting Fellow and interned at CLS Strategies. She also holds a Master’s degree in Political Communication from American University.

Contact Elena »
Annemieke Farrow

Annemieke Farrow

Vice President, Development

Annemieke Farrow oversees Small Business Majority’s Development department, including the grant writing and impact measurement teams. She leads efforts to identify and cultivate long-term funding relationships, while also developing strategies to measure the impact of Small Business Majority’s programs and streamline impact data collection across the organization. Previously, Annemieke served as the organization's Grants Manager and Director of Development.
 
Prior to joining Small Business Majority in 2017, Annemieke worked as the Community Impact Fellow for the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. In this position, she researched new opportunities for grantmaking and supported multiple strategic initiatives, including a new program to increase college completion rates for under-represented students in the Sacramento area. She also supported the Foundation’s capacity-building initiative for local nonprofits, providing direct support for nonprofit staff while collecting and analyzing data to assess program effectiveness and participant learning outcomes.
 
Annemieke holds a Master of Science in Community Development from U.C. Davis. Her thesis used the lens of youth empowerment to explore how participation in a youth-led philanthropy program impacted the program’s high-school-aged board members.

 

Contact Annemieke »
Jeremy Flick

Jeremy Flick

Senior Manager, Impact & Insights

As Senior Manager of Engagement Strategy and Data, Jeremy Flick plays a key role in enhancing Small Business Majority's capacity to establish meaningful and measurable connections with its stakeholders. Jeremy serves as a strategic thought leader, collaborator, and data champion. He leverages data-driven insights to streamline processes and identify opportunities to integrate engagement strategies into broader organizational initiatives to optimize impact and efficiency.

With a diverse background spanning over 12 years, he brings expertise in strategic engagement, digital marketing, fundraising, data analysis, program coordination, and non-profit leadership, combined with a background in the visual arts. Previously, Jeremy served as Small Business Majority’s Digital Engagement Manager.

Contact Jeremy »
Ira Gotlyboym

Ira Gotliboym

Research Analyst

Ira Gotliboym is Small Business Majority’s Research Analyst. He helps conduct research on public policy issues surrounding small businesses, assists with developing questions for surveys and polls, analyzing research findings, and helps with managing research vendor relationships. 

Before joining Small Business Majority, Ira was an Economic Research Fellow at the Small Business Administration- Office of Advocacy, where he provided economic data on small businesses to media outlets and congressional staff. In addition, he aided with reviewing economic impacts of federal policies on small businesses. During his fellowship, Ira released two fact sheet publications on the breakdown of immigrant ownership throughout small businesses.

Ira holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of Maryland and Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University.

Contact Ira »
Tarsha Hearns

Tarsha Hearns

Vice President, Entrepreneurship

Tarsha Hearns is responsible for directing Small Business Majority’s education and resource initiatives, which provide a suite of programs and tools to small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs to empower them to start and grow their enterprises and maximize their economic prosperity. 

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Tarsha led various entrepreneurial ecosystem initiatives in the Dallas, Texas area, including launching an SBA women's business center, leading the SBA's Community Navigator Dallas Program, and overseeing entrepreneur center resources, supporting thousands of entrepreneurs in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She served on the board of the Association of Women's Business Centers, was a member of the Ecosystem Builders Leadership Project Council and is widely recognized for her achievements and contributions to the small business community.

Additionally, Tarsha has been an entrepreneur herself for 20 years, a published author, a professor, a podcast host and much more. She has received numerous awards for her entrepreneurial endeavors, her leadership and her dedication to serving women and minority founders. 

Contact Tarsha »
Alexsis Lunn photo

Alexsis Lunn

Grant Writer

Alexsis Lunn develops compelling grant proposals, reports and other strategic development materials for Small Business Majority. In her role, she collaborates across teams to create written materials that tell the story of our organization and that highlight the impact of our work on small businesses across the country. She also helps us identify new funding opportunities, maintain our grants database and manage our grant calendar.

Prior to working for Small Business Majority, Alexsis worked in several roles that allowed her to steward relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, helping to diversify and often exceed organizational fundraising goals. She has worked with nonprofits of all sizes throughout the country, and enjoys collaborating with her colleagues in service of mission-driven initiatives. 

Contact Alexsis »

Cassie Mills

Vice President, Communications

Cassie Mills oversees implementation of the organization's internal and external communications efforts, including state and national media outreach, social media and digital marketing, organization websites, reports and more. She also contributes to the organization’s communications efforts by writing reports, web content and media materials. Previously, Cassie served as the organization's Communications Manager and Senior Communications & Research Associate.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority in 2013, Cassie provided strategic communications support to the U.S. Department of Energy, where she focused on storytelling and promoting success stories of projects supported by the Department. She has worked as a writer and editor in a variety of sectors, including at the Louisiana state legislature, universities and research and nonprofit organizations.

Contact Cassie »
Hunter Nelson

Hunter Nelson

Colorado Director

Hunter Nelson directs Small Business Majority’s outreach, education and policy efforts in the state of Colorado, by building and maintaining strategic partnerships, educating the small business communities on key policy issues and working on statewide policy efforts. She is part of the Piton Fellowship Early Career Cohort program where she is working to expand racial equity and drive positive change and was selected to join the Denver Foundation's Policy Committee. Hunter was also appointed to Connect for Health Colorado's (C4HCO) Board Advisory Group where she brings the small business perspective on healthcare plan design, value, benefits, cost, outreach and marketing for Colorado's health insurance and its individual and small group markets.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Hunter was a Senior Policy Analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, where she helped lead their policy and advocacy efforts to advance child & family health. She also currently serves as the Political Chair for the Board of Colorado Black Women for Political Action. Previously, Hunter worked at Child Advocates – Denver CASA, served as a Health Equity Fellow for Families USA, and interned with the Bell Policy Center. Hunter also has experience working with multiple organizations serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness across Metro Denver. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver where she also worked as a research assistant.

Contact Hunter »
Mayra Ordonez

Mayra Ordonez

Project Director

As Small Business Majority’s Project Director, Mayra coordinates complex projects across multiple departments and state offices, working collaboratively with senior leadership, ensuring a cohesive strategy and timely delivery across all initiatives. Previously, Mayra served as the organization's Bilingual Communications Manager and Bilingual Communications Specialist. Mayra also holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Georgetown University. 

Contact Mayra »
Meghan Ott

Meghan Ott

Digital Communications Manager

As Small Business Majority's Digital Communications Specialist, Meghan Ott manages the organization's social media accounts, handles event promotion and creates marketing and educational materials. She also supports the organization's engagement efforts by interviewing and writing profiles of small business owners. Meghan previously served as an intern for Small Business Majority's communications team and before that, she interned at Women for Women International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching women in conflict-affected areas financial literacy and vocational skills. Prior to working at Women for Women International, she interned at SHIFT Communication, a PR agency in Boston. 

Contact Meghan »
Brian Pifer, Vice President, Research & Insights, Small Business Majority

Brian Pifer

Vice President, Research & Insights

Brian oversees Small Business Majority’s research initiatives, including scientific opinion polling, focus groups and economic research. This research provides policymakers, advocates and others in the entrepreneurial ecosystem with the information they need to navigate complex small business issues. Brian leads the design, execution and reporting on these multidisciplinary research projects and manages Small Business Majority's s Insights program, which provides custom private research and subscription services for partners interested in understanding entrepreneurs' needs, challenges and opportunities. 

Brian also manages Small Business Majority's Venturize platform, the one-stop educational hub for the nation's entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Small Business Majority eight years ago, Brian was an editor and reporter at daily newspapers in Northern California, covering small business and other issues.  

Contact Brian »
Julie Sanchez

Julie Sanchez

Grant Writer

Julie Sanchez is a grant writer at Small Business Majority, with more than five years of experience securing funding for impactful projects. With a degree in International Studies, Julie has a diverse background in international studies, environmental advocacy and entrepreneurial ventures. Before joining Small Business Majority, Julie worked at an environmental non-profit, where their passion for sustainability and community development flourished. They also gained valuable experience interning with the U.S. State Department in Belgium. Julie also lived and taught English in Shanghai, China, further enriching her global perspective. In 2018, Julie founded The Adventuress Soap Co, a microbusiness that combines her love for travel and natural products, showcasing her entrepreneurial skills.

Contact Julie »
Alberto Sanchez, Small Business Majority

Alberto Sanchez

Southern California Outreach Manager

Alberto Sanchez manages Small Business Majority’s outreach efforts in Southern California. In this role, Alberto develops relationships with business partners, small business owners and community leaders to promote small business growth in Southern California.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Alberto worked in the offices of United States Senators LaPhonza Butler and Dianne Feinstein as a Field Representative for the San Diego region where he conducted legislative outreach in underserved communities and engaged community stakeholders. He also holds a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. Alberto is fluent in Spanish.

 

 

Contact Alberto »
Awesta Sarkash

Awesta Sarkash

Public Policy Director

Awesta Sarkash directs Small Business Majority's policy and education work in Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virgina. In coordination with our state and federal policy teams, Awesta also leads the organization's policy work on access to capital, criminal justice reform and auto-IRA retirement savings programs by tracking legislative and regulatory developments, and serving as a subject-matter expert on these issues. Additionally, Awesta serves as the Vice Chair of the Responsible Business Lending Coalition.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Awesta served as the Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), a nonprofit membership association that supports the community development sector in DC. She was responsible for facilitating the development and execution of CNHED’s budget and policy advocacy strategies across a broad range of community development issues, including workforce development, small business entrepreneurship and neighborhood-based commercial corridors. Prior to joining CNHED, Awesta served as the grassroots and advocacy manager for the American Land Title Association. She also served as assistant director for the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies’ Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute at American University and in Brussels for the European Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute. 

Originally from Afghanistan, Awesta grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and received her Master’s in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C. with a focus on American politics and advocacy. In 2022, Awesta was awarded the Top 20 in 2022 Advocacy Professional Award by the Advocacy Association. 

Contact Awesta »
Rachel Shanklin

Rachel Shanklin

Georgia Director / National Women's Entrepreneurship Director

Rachel Shanklin directs Small Business Majority’s outreach, education and policy efforts in the state of Georgia by building and maintaining strategic partnerships, educating businesses throughout the state on key issues, and working on statewide policy efforts. She also manages Small Business Majority’s national outreach to women entrepreneurs and women's business organizations. Rachel is passionate about advancing policy to enable small business owners to create quality jobs in Georgia and to increase access to financial services and equity for entrepreneurs.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Rachel worked as the Government Affairs Manager for the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, where she advocated for the enactment of sound health and hospital laws, rules and regulations to improve Georgia’s healthcare system. She previously interned as a policy and research analyst for the Georgia State Senate, the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Office of the Georgia Lieutenant Governor. Rachel also has professional experience in grassroots advocacy and political campaigns. While working towards her Master of Public Health at Georgia State University, Rachel conducted research for a statewide policy tank that focused on analyzing tax policies and proposed budgets in Georgia. 

Rachel serves as a member of Small Business Majority’s DEI Council.

Contact Rachel »
Eszter Szocska

Eszter Szocska

Digital Communications & IT Director

Eszter Szocska manages Small Business Majority's websites, databases, online communications and other IT functions. Prior to joining Small Business Majority more than 10 years ago, she worked as the website administrator at Green-Wifi, a small business specializing in the development of solar-powered Wi-Fi grid networks for schools in the developing world. Previously, she spent nine years in Tokyo where she cofounded FCC International, a small web services company. A native of Hungary, Eszter is fluent in both Hungarian and Japanese.

 

Contact Eszter »
Sara Thibodeau

Sara Thibodeau

Grants Manager

Sara Thibodeau writes and reports on grants for Small Business Majority. In addition to previously working as a grant writer and project manager for a series of Boston-based workforce development initiatives, she has held management positions at two tech startups. Sara is passionate about entrepreneurship and has often volunteered her time to advise small businesses, both in the U.S. and while traveling and living abroad. Sara earned her bachelor's degree in International Relations and her master's degree in International Business from the University of Denver. She is fluent in French and conversational in Portuguese and Spanish.

Contact Sara »
Eshe Ukweli

Eshe Ukweli

Digital Communications Specialist

Eshe Ukweli is a Digital Communications Specialist at Small Business Majority. In her role, Eshe supports the organization’s strategic communications and marketing efforts through social media management, strategy ideation, and marketing campaign curation for digital and in-person activations. She also supports graphic and content curation for website and blog use. Eshe has a wide range of experience across multiple sectors in media and marketing. Before joining Small Business Majority, Eshe previously worked at The 19th News as a Digital Content & Editorial Fellow, where she supported content curation and marketing efforts. Prior to The 19th, Eshe worked at Chevrolet as a Digital Media Fellow and as a Marketing Contractor at Streamlined Media and Communications, a brand marketing agency based in NYC. 

Contact Eshe »
Lindsey Vigoda

Lindsey Vigoda

New York Director & National Quality Jobs Policy Director

Lindsey Vigoda directs Small Business Majority’s outreach, policy and fundraising efforts in New York. Using her social work skills, Lindsey builds and maintains strong relationships with small business communities throughout the state, focusing on key policy issues. In addition to her New York Director role, Lindsey serves as Small Business Majority’s National Quality Jobs Policy Director to promote policies such as paid family leave and childcare that support access to quality jobs. Previously, she served as Colorado Director, leading the organization's advocacy, education and small business outreach across the state.

She also served on Denver Mayor-elect Mike Johnston's transition team as a volunteer to inform policies related to social equity and innovation. Recently, Lindsey joined the Board Advisory Group (C4HCO) for Connect for Health Colorado to advise the governing board on healthcare plan design, value, benefits, cost, outreach and marketing. Lindsey is a 2023 40 Under 40 awardee for the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Lindsey worked on Colorado’s successful Proposition 111 campaign, which capped the interest rates of predatory payday loans in the state. While working toward her Master of Social Work at the University of Denver, Lindsey conducted policy research for a statewide policy tank that focused on economic justice.

Contact Lindsey »
Dalton Wieck

Dalton Wieck

Outreach Coordinator

As Small Business Majority's Outreach Coordinator, Dalton assists in planning and conducting events, providing essential logistical support and marketing to ensure successful and well-attended National and State level events. He helps foster relationships with new small business and partner contacts and engages in proactive outreach to support a spokesperson program across multiple states. He is adept at interviewing small business owners and helping share their stories. Previously, Dalton served as the Member Engagement Manager for the Dallas Regional Chamber and before that, he was Small Business Majority's Engagement Coordinator. He currently resides in Dallas, TX. 

Contact Dalton »