Dena Dowsett Named Director of the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center
Longtime SLO County law school and community leader to guide services for startups and small businesses
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (July 20, 2026) — The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) today announced that Dena Dowsett has been named Director of the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In this role, Ms. Dowsett will lead the SBDC’s mission of providing high-quality, no-cost business advising services and other programs to startups and established small businesses throughout San Luis Obispo County.
As the SBDC Director, Ms. Dowsett will oversee day-to-day operations of the center, including program development, budget and grant management, and outreach across the region. She will work closely with the Central California SBDC Network, led by UC Merced, and will represent the SBDC and the CIE among San Luis Obispo County stakeholders, including municipal governments, local Chambers of Commerce, and federal and state economic development agencies.
Ms. Dowsett brings extensive leadership experience in strategic communications, marketing, and community engagement to the role. She most recently served as Assistant Dean of Market Development at Monterey College of Law, where she led data-driven initiatives to expand enrollment and community impact, including its San Luis Obispo campus. Previously, as the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Admissions, she directed recruitment strategy, managed a marketing budget of more than $200,000, and led integrated marketing campaigns that increased visibility and enrollment.
Ms. Dowsett is an active member of the San Luis Obispo business community, and currently serves on the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee. She previously served on the Business and Economic Council and Ambassador Program. She is a graduate of Leadership SLO’s Class of 2022 and has volunteered with City Farm SLO since 2021, including as a board member from 2022 to 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Illinois State University and an Associate of Applied Science in Legal Studies from Black Hawk College. She also completed mediation training through the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University.
“Dena’s record of building relationships across the business community and driving strategic initiatives for public service organizations makes her an excellent fit to lead the SBDC’s work supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout SLO County,” said Peter Falzon, the CIE Executive Director. “We’re excited to have her join the team.”
“I’m honored to join the Cal Poly SBDC and build on the strong foundation this team has established,” said Ms. Dowsett. “I look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders across San Luis Obispo County to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow, create jobs, and access the capital they need to succeed.”
About the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center
The Cal Poly SBDC, part of the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, provides no-cost business advising, training, and access-to-capital services to startups and established small businesses in San Luis Obispo County. The SBDC is part of the Central California SBDC Network, led by UC Merced, and works in partnership with regional economic development stakeholders to create economic opportunity through business growth, job creation and retention, and capital access.
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