Sandra D. Marin Ruiz, Ed.D., serves as Regional Director of the Florida Apex Accelerator and the Florida SBDC at FAU. She brings a multidisciplinary background spanning small business consulting, higher education, and program leadership, with credentials as a Florida Small Business Development Center consultant, university professor, and certified director for Kauffman FastTrac, SBDC Global, and Lean LaunchPad.
Dr. Ruiz has also built extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business owner, informing her applied approach to supporting business growth and innovation. Her work centers on connecting local economic priorities with broader national and international policy frameworks. She is widely recognized for advancing entrepreneurship and social innovation initiatives, and for supporting organizations in the design and implementation of programs that strengthen business ecosystems and community impact.