Sandra Smith-McDonald

About Sandra Smith-McDonald

Employee wellness programs are most effective when strategy, trust, and execution work together—and that’s the lens I bring to every program I lead.Across public-sector, consulting, and enterprise environments, I design and lead preventative workplace wellness initiatives that support employee engagement, access to care, and long-term workforce sustainability. Much of this work takes place within complex, multi-stakeholder settings, including unionized workforces, executive leadership, vendors, and community partners, where clear communication, sound judgment, and adaptability are essential.A practical, equity-centered approach guides how programs are built and sustained. Day-to-day operations are balanced with long-term strategy, using program metrics and industry best practices to drive continuous improvement while navigating competing priorities with composure.Collaboration and steady leadership define how I work with organizations that value accountability, inclusion, and thoughtful decision-making. I’m particularly interested in roles where wellness is viewed as a strategic investment in people, culture, and organizational performance.Areas of focus include:• Employee wellness & wellbeing program leadership• Preventative workplace wellness & health promotion• Program evaluation, metrics & continuous improvement• Vendor management, budgets & governance• Equity-centered and inclusive program design• Unionized and multi-stakeholder environmentsIf you’re thinking about how wellness can better support people, culture, and performance, let’s connect.

Experience

1. Wellness Coordinator

   AC Transit

   Jul 2016 — Present · Oakland, CA, US

   Manage a comprehensive employee wellness program for a public transit agency serving approximately 2,500 unionized employees. Lead program strategy and operations, including vendor partnerships, budget administration, data analysis, and oversight of 12 Wellness Champions and 2 interns. Collaborate cross-functionally with internal departments, labor unions, executive leadership, and the Board to advance preventative health, employee engagement, and workforce sustainability.Selected Accomplishments Established and scaled the agency’s first enterprise-wide wellness program, addressing common lifestyle and chronic disease risk factors through education, challenges, and preventative initiatives. Expanded workforce engagement and utilization of support services, increasing annual program participation to 9% and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) utilization to 15%. Demonstrated measurable program impact using tracked wellness metrics, indicating declines in reported blood pressure prevalence (22.6% → 18.6%) and smoking prevalence (15.7% → 8.4%). Earned annual Gold-level recognition on the American Heart Association Wellbeing Scorecard, recognizing the strength, scope, and maturity of the organization’s employee wellness program. Ensured fiscal stewardship and long-term program viability by administering an annual operating budget supplemented by external health plan stipends Kaiser;$7,500 Health Net). Maintained continuity and quality of wellness services through leading RFP processes and contract negotiations for EAP and vending services, resulting in renewed vendor agreements. Elevated organizational and industry credibility by serving as a subject matter expert on employer-led wellness programs and presenting program design and outcomes at national transportation conferences.

Education

• Georgia Southern University

  Master of Science, Kinesiology

  2006 — 2009

• Virginia Commonwealth University

  Bachelor of Science, Allied Health Science

  2002 — 2004

Skills

• Management
• Employee Wellness
• Nutrition
• Weight Training
• Health Education
• Customer Service
• Program Management
• Nutritional Counseling
• Personal Training
• Leadership
• Event Planning
• Exercise Physiology
• Teamwork
• Healthcare
• Wellness Coaching
• Microsoft Office
• Health Promotion
• Training
• Communication
• Fitness
• Wellness
• Weight Management
• Public Health
• Fitness Training
• Strength Training
• Public Speaking
• Lifestyle