Melanie Norton

 U.S. Small Business Administration, Seattle District

Melanie Norton, a longtime small business champion, oversees the operations, program delivery, and entrepreneurial ecosystem development for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Seattle District, serving Washington state and northern Idaho. 

Norton leads the SBA Seattle District team with nearly two decades of experience in economic development, and a commitment to supporting the equitable delivery of programs to ensure no entrepreneur is left behind in realizing their dream of successful small business ownership.

Norton began her career with the SBA in 2013 as an Economic Development Specialist for the Seattle District with a focus on outreach and education, increasing access to SBA programs and resources for small business communities throughout the district. She continued her work serving the SBA Pacific Northwest Regional office for five years as Regional Communications Director, coordinating public affairs across the Seattle, Boise, Portland and Alaska District offices. In 2021, Norton returned to the SBA Seattle District as Deputy District Director, providing strategic leadership, development, and delivery of SBA Seattle District programs and initiatives. In 2024 Norton was named District Director of the SBA Seattle District.

Prior to joining the SBA, Norton served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Bulgaria for two years working in economic development and supporting the country’s integration into the European Union. She continued her service in the U.S. Peace Corps domestically where she created and led the agency’s first public affairs team. Prior to her 17 years of federal public service, she worked in a variety of startups, small businesses and nonprofits.   

Of the 68 SBA district offices across the Unites States and Territories, the Seattle District is among the top 10 in SBA loan volume, averaging approximately $1 billion annually the past few years. The Seattle District manages one of the 10 largest portfolios of firms in the SBA 8(a) Business Development federal contracting program and boasts an extensive network of SBA Resource Partners.