Janna Smith

About Janna Smith

Given the world today, it’s time to expand the leadership conversation. The best organizations and leaders are connected to something far greater than just achieving outcomes—they see their work as service to something bigger. Leadership holds tremendous power and potential—not just to execute an important vision, but to cultivate deeper collective awareness, foster self-inquiry, and unlock the greater potential of humanity. If more leaders recognized this, I believe they’d find far deeper meaning and fulfillment in the work they’ve been called to do. They’d realize that beyond driving business outcomes, workplaces are catalysts for expanding human potential—and shaping societal change. For too long, leadership has been about managing work—optimizing productivity, driving efficiency, and focusing on execution. But leadership should be about something much bigger: activating internal values, guiding deeper meaning, and transforming work into a space that inspires a more conscious, connected world. Organizations thrive when leaders see themselves as champions of human development—not just managing employees through compliance and task completion, but inspiring and guiding them toward: Expanding self-awareness through reflection, feedback, and intentional growth Strengthening the connection between their daily work and their deeper values Recognizing that work is life practice—the challenges they navigate shape who they are becoming in the world In short, great leaders act as mirrors—helping people see themselves more deeply. When we invest in the growth and potential of those we lead, we unlock the internal motivation that drives them to show up—not just as better employees, but as better humans. Want to go deeper? Read my full perspective on leadership and human development in my latest Substack article in the \"Featured\" section below. If you’re interested in reimagining leadership, deepening self-awareness in the workplace, and making work more meaningful for those who show up there, let’s connect.

Experience

1. Director of Operations, People and Culture

   California Education Partners

   Aug 2018 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

Education

• University of California, Santa Cruz

  Bachelors in Sociology & Psychology

  2006 — 2008

• California Institute of Integral Studies

  Master's degree, Transformative Leadership