Willa Smith, MPS

Advanced NYS Certified Senior Business Advisor
MPS Concentration in Human Resource Management - Stony Brook University
BA - Suny Oswego
Willa re-joined the SBDC team in 2020 after spending the past nine years as a credit-trained commercial lender for Citibank, Chase and Gold Coast Bank, delivering specific expertise in credit underwriting guidelines, risk assessment, and financial analysis..  Deepening her expertise in lending policy and loan originations has afforded her the ability to provide specific guidance to business owners in how to obtain the financing needed to maintain healthy business operations, purchase real estate, equipment and other business assets.  Bridging back to her prior eight years as a NYS Advanced Certified Sr. Business Advisor, she offers clients a well-rounded expertise as a skilled advisor with demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and provide thoughtful planning and tactical leadership within the business community. Willa has been a featured presenter and panelist at many workshops and seminars in the Tri-State area, and delivered the College of Business's capstone "Entrepreneurship" course to upper level undergraduates as an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University.  Willa has a Masters in Professional Studies, with a Concentration in Human Resource Management, from Stony Brook University, along with a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego.  In 2009, Willa was honored with the SBU Dr. Deborah C. Hecht Award for her Masters Thesis entitled, 'Strategies for Ensuring Success in Small Business'.  Willa is a participating member of the Moxxie Network for Professional Women and the HIA's Business Development Committee.