Stacey Dacar, marketing manager for the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), was honored as a Top 40 Under 40 Young Professional at the national conference of SBDC programs in San Diego on Sept. 8.
The Top 40 Under 40 Young Professionals award was instituted this year as a way to recognize young professionals who are making a difference in their own programs and contributing to a stronger national association.
“The quality of young professionals nominated for this award was outstanding,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, CEO/president of America’s SBDC. “The America’s SBDC is committed to expanding opportunities and driving economic growth across all demographics, and these young professionals are helping us do that with innovative ideas, leadership and an exciting commitment to the mission of the SBDC.”
The Washington SBDC network, hosted by Washington State University, is an accredited member of America’s SBDC and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement between WSU and the U.S. Small Business Administration, with additional support from institutions of higher education, economic development organizations and other public and private funding partners.
Dacar, who joined the Washington SBDC in 2016, was lauded for her close collaboration with WSU Federal Relations and their work to advance support for WSU’s land grant mission among Washington’s congressional delegation.
“Stacey has been indispensable in this effort,” wrote Glynda Becker Fenter, WSU’s assistant vice president for Federal Engagement and Advocacy. According to Fenter, Dacar’s ability to bring together metrics and data with the human stories of small business success have set a standard for others to follow.
Duane Fladland, state director of the Washington SBDC, said Dacar created the marketing manager position and has transformed the way the network presents itself to the public over the past five years.
“From managing our social media presence to creating printed materials, and organizing statewide events and outreach, Stacey’s influence in our network is far and wide, and we are better for it,” he said.
Dacar has been a member of the national America’s SBDC marketing committee since 2017 and has been instrumental in pushing forward several initiatives, including instituting an annual celebration of SBDC Day on the third Wednesday in March.
Prior to joining the Washington SBDC, Dacar worked in marketing and communications for Comcast Spotlight in both Spokane and Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating from Eastern Washington University with a degree in business administration, Dacar worked for the Spokane Indians Baseball.
The America’s SBDC represents 63 statewide or regional SBDC programs that provide confidential, one-on-one, no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs who want to start, grow or transition a small business. For more about the Washington SBDC, visit the Washington SBDC website.
