The New York SBDC Announces Rod Dauphin as Regional Director of the Queens-LaGuardia Small Business Development Center

Experienced entrepreneurial education and business development leader will guide SBDC services for small businesses in Queens

Albany, NY – The New York Small Business Development Centers (NYSBDC) have appointed Rod Dauphin as Regional Director of the Queens-LaGuardia Small Business Development Center, hosted by LaGuardia Community College.

In this role, Dauphin will lead the center’s efforts to provide no-cost, confidential business advisement, training, and research to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Queens. His leadership will support the SBDC’s continued work to help business owners navigate every stage of their journey while strengthening the center’s role within New York City’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Dauphin brings more than 20 years of experience in entrepreneurial development, executive education, financial management, business consulting, and organizational leadership.

“Rod brings deep experience in entrepreneurial education, business advising, and community-centered leadership to the Queens-LaGuardia SBDC,” said Sonya Smith, NYSBDC State Director. “His work with small business owners at LaGuardia Community College has already helped entrepreneurs build stronger, more sustainable businesses, and we are confident his leadership will help the center reach and support more Queens business owners while deepening its role within New York City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Before joining the Queens-LaGuardia SBDC as Regional Director, Dauphin served as Education Services Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at LaGuardia Community College, where he supported the growth and development of more than 1,000 small business owners through executive education, business advising, and technical assistance.

“Queens is one of the most entrepreneurial and diverse communities in the world, and small businesses are at the heart of that energy and resilience,” said Dauphin. “I’m excited to work alongside our partners across the business ecosystem to help entrepreneurs access the guidance, relationships, and opportunities they need to grow sustainable businesses and strengthen our communities.”

During his tenure with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, Dauphin helped lead the program’s transition to virtual delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to the national Babson College curriculum, and built partnerships across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to connect entrepreneurs with additional resources and opportunities.

In addition to his work in entrepreneurial education, Dauphin has served as an adjunct faculty member at LaGuardia Community College, teaching business, management, organizational behavior, and marketing. His professional experience also includes executive leadership, financial advisory, consulting, and operations management roles across the private, nonprofit, and educational sectors.

Dauphin is committed to helping entrepreneurs access the guidance, relationships, and resources needed to navigate growth, build long-term sustainability, and create lasting economic impact within their communities. He earned a dual MBA in Entrepreneurship and Finance & Investments from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo, where he was a Division-I student-athlete and Academic All-American.

The Queens-LaGuardia SBDC, hosted by LaGuardia Community College, is part of the statewide New York SBDC network and provides no-cost, confidential business advisement, training, and research to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Queens.