Director of Small Business Development Center at Governors State named “State Star”

Priscilla Cordero, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Governors State University has been named the Illinois “State Star” by the SBDC national organization.

Each year, America's SBDC recognizes a State Star from each SBDC state network who exhibits exemplary performance, makes a significant contribution to his or her SBDC program, and shows a strong commitment to helping small businesses grow.

As director of the SBDC at GSU, Cordero is responsible for marketing the organization’s services to the Chicago Southland region, consulting with small business owners, and managing the center. "Priscilla is a phenomenal example of the kind of passion, skill and dedication to helping small businesses thrive that is instilled in every one of the SBDC advisers throughout the state of Illinois," said Illinois SBDC State Director Mark Petrilli. "Her continued effort to assist and expand the opportunities available to small business owners is a shining example of the kind of commitment the Illinois SBDC Network has to helping the small business community grow."

In addition to her work at SBDC at GSU, Cordero serves as co-chair on the Friends of Habitat for Humanity Board, is a loan committee member for the Northside Community Federal Credit Union, and as a Homewood resident, is a committed member of the Downtown Homewood Business Association. She is passionate about economic development in the Southland region and helping small businesses overcome challenges in order to grow. “Helping small businesses start and thrive is what gets me up in the morning every day. This is what I have done my entire career and I see it as more of a calling than a job. I love when I can help a small business owner fulfill their dreams of starting a business,” she said.

The SBDC at GSU is a collaboration between Governors State University, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Its mission is to create an environment that nurtures entrepreneurship throughout the region. The organization also holds events that encourage people to explore the rewards of business ownership, such as its annual Veteran’s Entrepreneurial Boot Camp on Thursday, November 12. The event continues the SBDC at GSU’s legacy of supporting veterans as they act in the private sector as current or future business owners.

For more information on the SBDC's free services, contact 708.534.4929, or visit their website at www.govst.edu/sbdc.