SBA Appoints Kristie Arslan to National Women's Business Council

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced today that she has appointed Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), to a three-year appointment to the National Women's Business Council (NWBC).

"It is my pleasure to welcome Kristie to NWBC, an esteemed group of women business leaders.  Kristie has been an advocate for the small business community for many years and has critical insight on issues affecting women-owned businesses in particular. Her extensive public policy experience and business expertise will be a wonderful addition to the Council," said Contreras- Sweet. "She has a unique understanding of the challenges women business owners face as an entrepreneur and executive.  Kristie will be part of the Council that advises the President, Congress and SBA on issues of importance to women business owners and women entrepreneurs from all segments of American society. We look forward to her leadership and fresh perspective on behalf of the nation's small businesses. Her participation will help us focus on the many contributions of women and small businesses."

As executive director of WIPP, Arslan leads the organization in its efforts to advocate for women and minority business owners on economic policy and current legislative initiatives that impact business health and growth.  WIPP is a strong partner of the SBA as it supports ChallengeHER, an initiative to promote the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program and bring more women-owned firms into the federal government's supply chain.

Before joining WIPP, Arslan served as the President and CEO of the National Association for the self-employed (NASE) where she successfully rose through the ranks to lead the organization.  During her tenure she launched the association's successful Growth Grant program and Women Entrepreneurship Initiative, and founded the NASE Member Council.  Arslan owns a small business in Alexandria, Va. and resides in Arlington, Va. with her husband and two children.

ABOUT SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

ABOUT NWBC
Is a nonpartisan federal advisory council created to serve as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners.

ABOUT WIPP
Is a national nonpartisan public policy organization advocating on behalf of its coalition of 4.7 million businesswomen including 75 business organizations. WIPP identifies important trends and opportunities and provides a collaborative model for the public and private sectors to increase the economic power of women-owned businesses.

Release Number: 15-96

Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

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SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

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