Regional Womens Circle of Influence

Meet Karen Smaw, the director of small, women and minority business development at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA)

Ms. Smaw is responsible for the development and implementation of programs and services that facilitate the development, growth and expansion of small, minority and woman-owned businesses in Fairfax County; and the attraction and retention of minority and women-owned firms to Fairfax County, Virginia.  Karen is actively involved in federal, state and local women and minority-owned business issues and is a frequent speaker on such matters.  Ms. Smaw’s keen interest and commitment to entrepreneur education is clearly evident.  She created the FCEDA’s popular Entrepreneur 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County workshop, Exporting 101: Exploring Global Markets and New Opportunities workshop, and the Procurement Academy workshop series.   She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including George Mason University’s University Life Advisory Board and the Community Business Partnership).