Sonya Blake, Director of the Governor's Office of the Advocate for Small Business

Sonya Blake was appointed Director of the Governor's Office of the Advocate for Small Business on March 18, 2002.

As the first small business advocate within the Governor's office, Ms. Blake protects the interests of small business concerns in order to preserve free competitive enterprise and maintain a healthy State economy. Ms. Blake represents the views and interests of small business before State agencies whose policies and activities may affect small business. She enlists the cooperation and assistance of public and private agencies, businesses and other organizations in disseminating information about programs and services provided by State government. She also serves as the Chair of the Small Business Reform Task Force.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Blake was the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Women Business Owners - Los Angeles Chapter (NAWBO-LA). She was the Executive Director of the Santa Monica College Foundation; Director of Corporate Gifts for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Assistant Dean of the University of Southern California's School of Fine Arts.

Ms. Blake earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, and a master of business administration degree from University of California, Los Angeles Anderson School of Management.