About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
The NEW MBDA Center is a joint effort between the Economic Development Department (EDD) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Through a collaboration with The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, WESST, New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center, and other local partners that will provide training as well as event and consulting services.
Are you a business that:
- has operations in New Mexico
- has over $500,000 a year in revenue and growing fast
- would like to do business with the government
- is looking for support in navigating access to capital and looking for training?
The Albuquerque MBDA Business Center is critically important for small businesses because:
- It provides a formalized, structured avenue for the City to assist local businesses through COVID-19 hardships, with emphasis on tangible solutions to systematic racial inequities in economic opportunity.
- It furthers the Economic Development Department's ongoing efforts to build an economy that works for everyone, which includes a strategic focus on small businesses owned by minorities.
- It exemplifies EDD'S recognition that economic development in high-growth business sectors are typically regional, not limited to a single city.
- It supports the City's "grow from within" economic model, focusing on developing an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting growth of local businesses, and building upon existing assets and strengths.
Meet the Team:
Gabriela Marques, Director
gmarques@cabqmbdacenter.com 505.376.7823 |
Gabriela is a passionate champion for disadvantaged, small, and minority businesses. She brings her expertise in business development, program implementation, and commercial lending throughout New Mexico to her role as Director of the Albuquerque MBDA Business Center. Gabriela previously worked for seven years at DreamSpring, an award-winning microfinance organization. As market manager and senior loan officer, she led the lending team in New Mexico and Nevada, removing barriers to access to capital and developing strategic partnerships. Born and raised in Brazil, she moved to California to pursue her university studies and then fell in love with New Mexico close to a decade ago. Gabriela received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and has a master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego.
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Carmen Chavira, Business Advisor
cchavira@cabqmbdacenter.com 505.397.0674 |
Carmen Chavira is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has 41 plus years of federal acquisition and small business experience. Her 1st passion is assisting small businesses. Her 2nd passion is traveling. She has lived in six countries and six US states. She has traveled throughout the world enjoying people, places, and foods. She has a Bachelors of Science in Business. Many levels of certificates in federal education; contracting, program management, logistics, and small business management.
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Michael Silva, Business Advisor
msilva@cabqmbdacenter.com 505.376.7824 |
Mike Silva previous work history includes working as a Senior Project Manager for the New Mexico Small Business Development Center, Director of Public Works for the Pueblo of Jemez, President of his own consulting company, EnFrente Inc. and served as president of the Rio Grande Educational Collaborative 2000-2012, a non-profit educational services organization that he founded. He retired from Public Service Company of NM as Director of Corporate Quality in 2002 after 30 years’ service at PNM. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a major in business.
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