Public Leadership
Public service has taken me from communities across America to diplomatic engagements around the world.
Expanding Opportunity
As Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, I helped lead the federal agency responsible for expanding access to capital, contracting opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and disaster assistance.
My work focused particularly on reaching entrepreneurs and communities that had historically faced barriers, and on modernizing SBA's technology so the agency could better serve small-business owners navigating complex federal programs.
Touring Boise State Incubator, Boise, ID
Innovation Tour, Orange County, CA
Showcasing Manufacturing, Rapid City, SD
Small Business Engagement, Milwaukee, WI
Celebrating Post-Pandemic Recovery, Springfield, MA
Expanding Access to Capital, Memphis, TN
Engaging with CDFIs in Anchorage, AK
Supporting Rural Entrepreneurs in Lubbock, TX
Rebuilding After Disaster
I traveled to communities recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Maui wildfires, the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, and other emergencies — coordinating federal disaster response and touring recovery efforts on the ground.
Advancing Commercial Diplomacy
As the U.S. Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, I worked with more than 50 nations across the globe to support American companies, resolve barriers to exports, and deepen economic relationships.
Supporting Ukraine's Economic Resilience
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, I helped mobilize the American private sector in support of Ukraine's economic resilience and future reconstruction. The work reinforced my conviction that companies are not only economic actors — they can also help rebuild communities, strengthen democratic resilience, and advance shared values.
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Promoting Inclusive Growth
Before federal service, I worked in California to expand the geography of opportunity. As founding chair of the California Entrepreneurship Task Force, I brought entrepreneurs, investors, civic leaders, and state officials together to strengthen access to capital, markets, and networks—particularly for founders and small businesses outside Silicon Valley.
That work grew from the Valley to Valley initiative, which I organized after spending time with leaders in Fresno and the Central Valley. The effort connected Silicon Valley’s capital, companies, and entrepreneurial networks with the Central Valley’s talent and innovation economy. What began as a bridge between California’s two valleys became part of a broader statewide effort to make entrepreneurship and economic growth more inclusive.
A Record of Service
U.S. Small Business Administration
Deputy Administrator
U.S. Department of State
Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs
White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Member, President's Advisory Commission
State of California
Founding Chair, California Entrepreneurship Task Force