San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today appointed Katy Tang to serve as the Executive Director of the Office of Small Businesses. Tang, who will begin her new role in January 2022, replaces Regina Dick-Endrizzi, who recently announced her retirement after serving for 13 years in that role.

“I am proud to name San Francisco native Katy Tang as the new Executive Director of the Office of Small Businesses,” said Mayor Breed. “Katy has spent much of her career serving our City, both as an elected official and civil servant, and has continuously fought for our small business community even during the most challenging times. I am confident that Katy’s experience and passion for our City and its entrepreneurs make her the right person for the job.”

Tang currently serves as the Director of Public and Governmental Affairs at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), where she assists small businesses in navigating the latest public health guidelines. Prior to her role at SFDPH, Tang served as the District 4 representative on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2013-2019. During her tenure on the Board, she prioritized small business support and economic development in the City. Tang initiated legislation to give business owners additional flexibility in ground-floor space use, accelerated the small business permitting process, and worked to waive small business permit fees. Key elements of Tang’s legislative efforts were incorporated into Proposition H Save our Small Businesses Initiative, which voters passed in November 2020.

“I look forward to applying over a decade of experience assisting small businesses struggling through the City’s challenging permitting process to allow our business community to thrive in what they do best, which is to create jobs, opportunities, and vibrant neighborhoods,” said Katy Tang, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs at SFDPH. “We need to prioritize communities that have experienced disproportionate impacts from the pandemic and ensure San Francisco offers diverse business and employment opportunities.”

Following her time on the Board of Supervisors, Tang worked as a Land Use Analyst at a local law firm, where she assisted businesses with permit applications and developed a further understanding of the challenges people experience while trying to open a business in the City.

“As we prepare for the new year, I am filled with excitement to have Katy join the leadership of OEWD,” said Kate Sofis, Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “Her ability to connect with the small business community and her vast experience in small business policy and land use expertise will undoubtedly help to support the over 94,000 small businesses that call San Francisco home. I have no doubt that Katy will advance the work that Director Dick-Endrizzi has led for 13 years.”

Directed by the Small Business Commission, the Office of Small Business (OSB) functions as the City's central point of information and referral for entrepreneurs and small businesses located in the City and County of San Francisco. As part of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), the Office of Small Business serves as the gateway for aspiring entrepreneurs, provides one-on-one case management, implements small business assistance programs, and conducts outreach and education in multiple languages.

“I am thrilled beyond words that Katy will be joining the Office of Small Business. The Small Business Commission is honored to nominate her, and are in complete agreement that she is the perfect candidate to build on the incredible work of Director Dick-Endrizzi,” said Sharky Laguana, President of the Small Business Commission. “As we turn towards recovery, we know that Katy will have the experience and expertise necessary to help our small businesses recover, while fostering a small business community that will be better, stronger, and more diverse than what we had before the pandemic.”

In May 2009, Regina Dick-Endrizzi was appointed by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom to serve as the Director of the Office of Small Business. Under her leadership, Dick-Endrizzi has facilitated more than 725 legislative actions and policies, revamped the City’s Mobile Food Program, created the award-winning San Francisco Small Business Portal, developed a comprehensive web tool that helps small businesses navigate the permit process, launched the City’s Legacy Business Registry, and supported small businesses in complying with accessibility. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dick-Endrizzi quickly pivoted the team to assist and triage the needs of small businesses impacted by the pandemic, addressing over 8,400 inquiries for assistance and connecting them to local, state and federal resources and financial relief. 

“There is no one better to carry the torch forward as the Executive Director of the Office of Small Business. I worked closely with Katy Tang during her tenure as a member of the Board of Supervisors and she knows well the challenges small business face. She has always approached these challenges with positive and creative solutions,” said Regina Dick-Endrizzi, Executive Director of the Office of Small Business. This is exactly the leadership our small businesses need as San Francisco builds back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“As a small business owner, it’s important we have representative that are not only responsive to our needs, but also lead with compassion. Katy carries these traits and her ability to connect with residents like myself makes her a great fit for the role,” said Awadalla Awadalla, owner of Hole in the Wall Pizza and member of the Outer Sunset Merchants and Professional Association. “Katy has led important initiatives in support of the small business community and I look forward to continuing to partner with her and the City to amplify and strengthen our overall economic vitality.”

“The appointment of Katy to lead the Office of Small Business is an incredible win for small businesses in San Francisco,” said Laurie Thomas, Executive Director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. “Her demonstrated creativity in tackling complex issues for small businesses and her tenacity in breaking through the barriers of bureaucracy will be very valuable as our economy recovers.”

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