Key Points

• CalOSBA is the voice of small companies throughout the state, pushing for equal access to finance, markets, and networks. So that all California small businesses may effectively start, manage, develop, and become more resilient.
• The 2022 Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force (EEMTF) pushes inclusive entrepreneurship by advocating policies guaranteeing all California small companies get the resources they require to thrive and expand.
• CaIOSBA recently welcomed six brilliant entrepreneurs to its network: Kristin York, Lorraine Salazar, Maria Kim, Matt Horton, Matthew Cauthron, and Mihai Patru. 

2022 Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force 

The California Dream is powered by entrepreneurship. California’s willingness to take risks and ability to innovate are competitive advantages that have helped it become the world’s fifth-largest economy. In October 2022, at the California Economic Summit hosted by California Forward, Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the CalOSBA, introduced the full roster of the 2022 Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force (EEMTF).

Read More: CalOSBA Announces 2022 Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force (EEMTF)

The Task Force, backed by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CaIOSBA), acts as a bridge to SMBs (Small and Medium Businesses) to assist California in preserving its entrepreneurial and innovative leadership.

CaIOSBA Welcomes EEMTF’s 6 New Members

CalOSBA announced the participation of the following six members of the 2022 Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force:

1. Kristin York: Sierra Business Council’s Vice President, Kristin, draws on her 25 years of expertise in strategic planning, finance, operations, circular economy models, and other areas to assist startups in thriving economically while recognizing their environmental and social effects. 
2. Lorraine Salazar and her brother Karl have run Sal’s Mexican Restaurants, a Valley tradition since 1942. The restaurant earned the 2001 California Small Business Award and other “Best of the Valley” and “People’s Choice” accolades from the California Restaurant Association and the Fresno Bee.
3. Maria Kim is the President and CEO of REDF. This venture philanthropy organization invests in and develops demand for firms that eliminate job obstacles. Maria is on the boards of various organizations, including Procure Impact, First Women’s Bank, and the Leadership Society Initiative. 
4. Matt Horton works at the Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics and the California Center. Matt works with government officials, corporate leaders, and other community stakeholders to influence research-driven programs and policies. 
5. Matthew Cauthron is a Market Director of Community & Associate well-being at Adventist Health System’s Wellbeing Division. Matt serves on the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and other non-profit boards and organizations that benefit Kern County people. 
6. Mihai Patru is the Executive Director of the Caravanserai Project. The organization is a social impact company that provides mission-driven entrepreneurs and companies with business technical assistance and capacity development. He is an Entrepreneur in Residence on Social Entrepreneurship at UC Riverside, among other things. ​

Aims of New Members for California

The new 6 Task Force leaders and participants will have a historical discussion on three core aims to assist California in maintaining its worldwide leadership:

• Democratizing capital access
• Diversifying the innovation economy
• Propelling economic mobility entrepreneurship

Wrap Up!

EEMTF by CalOSBA is the voice of small businesses in California. The EEMTF has welcomed new members Kristin York, Lorraine Salazar, Maria Kim, Matt Horton, Matthew Cauthron, and Mihai Patru. The new Task Force leaders and participants will engage in a historical discussion of the core goals that will help California maintain its global leadership.