NazAarah Sabree is Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advocate, nominated in June 2022 by Governor Tom Wolf and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate. With more than 25 years of experience in economic development, she has dedicated her career to advancing the success of small businesses across the Commonwealth and beyond.
NazAarah is widely recognized for her ability to forge strategic partnerships, strengthen collaboration, and address systemic barriers—whether regulatory, operational, or financial—that impact small business growth and sustainability. Throughout her career, she has consistently elevated small business concerns to decision-makers, shaped policy improvements, and championed initiatives that provide meaningful, long-term impact for entrepreneurs.
As Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advocate, she leads the Office of Small Business Advocate in driving policies, programs, and protections within the utility sector to ensure small business voices are represented at the highest levels of regulatory decision-making. Under her leadership, the office has delivered groundbreaking achievements, including establishing the first statewide payment arrangement policy in the water industry for small businesses, publishing the agency’s first annual report in a decade, and expanding outreach to engage entrepreneurs directly with the legislature and regulators about their utility services. These efforts have reinforced the office’s role as a powerful advocate and resource for Pennsylvania’s small business community.
NazAarah’s career includes leadership roles with the Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation and the City of Philadelphia, where she advanced small business development initiatives, supported entrepreneurs with technical assistance and training, and influenced citywide policy priorities. Her ability to translate the needs of small business owners into actionable solutions has been the throughline of her professional journey.
She continues to center her mission on advancing policies, programs, and protections that empower small businesses statewide while inspiring others to lead with purpose, give back to their communities, and drive equitable economic growth.
A graduate of Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration, NazAarah is not only a dedicated professional but also a proud mother of two.
NazAarah Sabree, Small Business Advocate