Nicole Babauta is the Director and Business Advisor at the CNMI Small Business Development Center (CNMI SBDC). The CNMI SBDC is a partially funded cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides free, confidential, one-to-one business advising and training to aspiring and existing clients. Ms. Babauta manages a yearly operational budget of $130,000 that benefits economic growth and development in the CNMI. As Director, Ms. Babauta primary responsibilities are to create and maintain relationships with private, non-profits, and government sectors to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in the CNMI. Additionally, her responsibilities include fiscal and program compliance with Federal grant requirements under the SBA. As a Business Advisor, she is also responsible for assisting small business owners from start-up plan development to growing and sustaining their business. She is passionate about nourishing her local economy and helping the people of CNMI achieve their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.

Ms. Babauta dedicates herself to her community by serving a a board member for the CNMI State Workforce Development Board, Isla Montessori School, MYPROS, Saipan Young Professionals. Additionally, she holds an active membership in the Society for Human Resource Management and Co-Chairs the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Workforce & Education Committee. Ms. Babauta was awarded the 2017 Saipan Young Professional

Community Leader Award, 2018 America's Small Business Development State Star Award, and the 2019 Saipan Young Professional of the Year.

Ms. Babauta holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with an emphasis in Global Business Management.

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