Gloria Monroe Receives 2026 “State Star” Award at ASBDC Conference

The North Carolina SBTDC is proud to announce that Gloria Monroe, SBTDC Regional Center Director at UNC Wilmington, has been named North Carolina’s 2026 State Star. Monroe was recognized this week at the America’s SBDC 47th Annual Training Event in Atlanta, Georgia.

The annual State Star Award recognizes one individual from each SBDC network for outstanding accomplishments and service to entrepreneurs and their communities.

“Gloria is incredibly deserving of this recognition,” said SBTDC Executive State Director Byron Hicks. “Her leadership and commitment to the businesses we serve are evident in everything she does. We are fortunate to have her as part of our statewide team, and I’m proud to see her recognized as this year’s State Star.”

Monroe joined the SBTDC after retiring from IBM Corporation in 2016, bringing more than a decade of experience in program management and innovation. During her time at IBM, she served as a program manager and innovation center manager, with work that reached businesses and academic institutions around the world. Among her accomplishments, she helped launch the IBM East Africa Innovation Center in Nairobi, Kenya, and developed and implemented programs serving more than 9,000 faculty members at 3,400 universities worldwide.

What Monroe initially envisioned as a brief encore with the SBTDC in Wilmington has become something much more lasting. Monroe’s contributions extend beyond southeastern North Carolina through her involvement across the statewide SBTDC network and support of colleagues throughout the organization. Her collaborative approach has made her a valued resource to both clients and fellow SBTDC counselors.

“Receiving the State Star Award is a tremendous honor,” said Monroe. “I see this award as a reflection not only of my own efforts, but of the incredible work we do together as an SBTDC team to support small and mid-size businesses and entrepreneurs. It is especially meaningful to know that our work has made a difference in the communities we serve. I am deeply appreciative of this recognition and of the opportunity to do work that I find so rewarding.”

The North Carolina SBTDC is proud to participate in America’s SBDC annual professional development event, which brings together SBDC professionals from across the country for learning, networking and collaboration. At this year’s event, Executive State Director Byron Hicks was re-elected as Chair of the America’s SBDC Board of Directors, representing North Carolina within the national network.