Flipping the pyramid of leadership on its head, Liz holds her team up, paving the way for NH SBDC to do what it does best: make small business dreams come true.
“We are dream makers. Each and every day, our team helps New Hampshire’s entrepreneurs achieve their dreams of owning and running a small business. No matter how big or small their dreams are, we have the privilege of helping make those dreams come to life!”
That realization is what drives Liz Gray to lead the charge at NH SBDC. Though her name may sit at the top of the org chart, Liz views herself more at the bottom, providing a foundation of support to her team, so they can focus on what they do best, advising and empowering New Hampshire business owners.
Inspired and energized by NH SBDC’s client stories, Liz helps create the programs and connections they need to thrive. She is a problem solver and change maker at heart. Her goal as the network’s leader is for NH SBDC to continue to be a welcoming and trusted resource for any small business owner seeking help starting and growing their small business.
Under Liz’s guidance, NH SBDC doubled the number of clients served through direct business advising, from 862 in 2019 to 1,910 in 2024. NH SBDC’s total annual economic impact on the state of New Hampshire in 2024 was $254.6M.
Expertise
Served as director of entrepreneurship at the N.H. Business Finance Authority
Established Live Free and Start, an initiative to make New Hampshire an even better place for innovative companies to start, grow and succeed
Held the position of economic development business services manager at the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development
Worked for more than 14 years in various capacities in the offices of Governors Shaheen, Lynch and Hassan, and as a legislative aide in the NH State Senate.
The Resume
Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and International Affairs from the University of New Hampshire
Member of the UNH Manchester Advisory Board
Member of the boards of the UNH Alumni Association and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)
Secretary of America’s SBDC (ASBDC) Board of Directors
Chair of ASBDC’s Small but Mighty Committee
Member of ASBDC’s Legislative and Leadership Committees
Co-chaired the UNH Peter T. Paul College’s Business in Practice Advisory Board
Co-founded the Northern New England Women's Investor Network (VT ME NH) and served as the NH lead
Awarded an Outstanding Women in Business Award from the NH Business Review in 2024
Awarded an AmplifiHer Award from the NH Women’s Foundation in 2021
Fun Fact
Liz loves to travel anywhere and everywhere with her partner Zach and their three boys. Her most meaningful trip was a visit to her father’s home country, the Philippines, with her parents where she reconnected with family. It was the last trip she would take with her father before he passed away, but she hopes to return to the Philippines one day soon with her own family.
Liz Gray (center) with SBDC advisory board members, SBDC team members, and Paul College team members celebrating Liz’s NHBR 2024 Outstanding Women in Business Award.