Cheryl A. Mills is the Associate Deputy Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development for the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this capacity, she manages SBA’s technical assistance programs providing training and business counseling for over 1.5 million small business clients annually. An additional 1+ million clients each year benefit from information and tools available on SBA’s Website. With a budget of $200 million, leveraged by state and local funding, her office provides these services through a variety of business development networks across the nation. Small business education programs are offered at major state universities through more than 1,100 Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s) and over 10,500 SCORE volunteers provide counseling and mentoring to new and in-business entrepreneurs. The small business owner can also receive training and counseling 24/7 through all of the programs including, 25 online courses offered through the department’s Small Business Training Network.  In addition, the office of Women’s Business Ownership has 99 Women’s Business Centers in key communities nationally providing assistance to women business owners with a special emphasis on the low income/socially disadvantaged woman client.

Prior to joining SBA, Ms. Mills was the President of Bradford Investment Group, Inc., based in Princeton, NJ. Bradford invested capital in seed, first and second-stage companies and purchases mature, mid-size companies utilizing family and client’s funds. Also, the company conducted an investment advisory business for family and clients. Ms. Mills’ business and investment experience included her service as Trustee & Executive Vice President of Mills Foundation, member of the Millbrook School investment committee, venture capital guest mentor for MoneyHunt, a PBS Television Program, Investment Banker at Wertheim Schroder & CO., Inc and Chairman for Trademarks, Inc., a direct marketing firm. Also, Ms. Mills was the Assistant Press Secretary to Congressman Al Quie of Minnesota.

Ms. Mills has been bestowed with several New Jersey political appointments: Trustee for the $70 Billion New Jersey Pension Fund and Trustee Emeritus for the Drumthwacket Foundation—New Jersey’s Official Governor’s Residence. Also, she had received several state appointments: Director on The New Capital Sources Partnership Board and Council Member for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Ms. Mills’ leadership honors include: an award from Governor Christine Todd Whitman for founding a highly successful nonprofit, Friends of Homeless Animals, Leadership America Trustee and a Fellow in Leadership in New Jersey. Ms. Mills holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Fordham University.