The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) has selected Christina Oddleifson as the 2026 State Star. The award, given annually, recognizes a member of the Maine SBDC staff who has shown exemplary performance and a strong commitment to small business success.
Christina (Tina) Oddleifson is a senior business advisor at the Maine SBDC at University of Southern Maine. She works with entrepreneurs and small business owners in Southern Maine to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. In the five years she has been with the Maine SBDC, she has spent over 4,500 hours advising almost 900 clients. She’s helped to start 65 businesses, create and save 222 jobs, and generate almost $10 million in capital.
Clients consistently praise Tina for her encouraging, insightful, and kind approach to business advising. They value her deep knowledge and the way she offers actionable guidance without judgement. Among colleagues, Tina is known as a committed and thoughtful advisor who consistently goes above and beyond for her clients. She’s appreciated for her curiosity, generosity, and willingness to share her knowledge, making her someone people trust, learn from, and genuinely enjoy working with.
Before joining the SBDC, Tina owned and operated an inn and restaurant in Downeast Maine. She also worked in the nonprofit sector as an executive director for a community-based nonprofit and as the Director of Operations for the Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
“Tina brings an exceptional combination of real-world business ownership, technical expertise, and genuine care to her work with Maine entrepreneurs,” said Mark Delisle, Maine SBDC State Director. “She understands firsthand that running a business can be both exciting and overwhelming, and she has a gift for helping clients move forward with clarity and confidence. We are incredibly fortunate to have Tina on our team.”
Each year, America’s Small Business Development Centers recognizes top performers from programs around the country at its annual conference. The 2026 State Star award winners will be recognized during America’s SBDC Annual Training Event, held September 29-October 1, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.