Christopher-Upperman

Christopher R. Upperman is an Obama Administration appointee at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where he serves as Assistant Administrator (Head) of the Office of Public Engagement. Upperman manages agency, corporate, philanthropic, and public relationships and outreach, which includes establishing strategic partnerships. He also oversees SBA’s faith-based outreach and community initiatives to increase entrepreneurship, business opportunities, and capital access for undeserved and minority-owned enterprises.

He reports directly to the Cabinet Secretary, SBA Administrator, and Head of the Office of Communications on the design, implementation, and application of strategic partnerships to promote business and entrepreneurship.

Upperman is SBA’s advocate for African Americans and millennials, helping to raise awareness around entrepreneurship among these populations. He serves as one of the agency’s liaisons for the White House My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. Upperman is passionate about reaching underserved communities and believes entrepreneurship can be a vital pathway towards economic self-sufficiency. 

Prior to his appointment at SBA, Upperman worked at the White House as an Analyst and Director of Student Correspondence in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. He also worked as an Aide for D.C.’s Delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, a role in which he coordinated Norton’s Commission on Black Men and Boys.

Twitter: @cUPPrmn