Valerie M. Smith

About Valerie M. Smith

Strategic and Leadership Development professional with over a decade of experience driving team alignment, leadership growth, employee engagement, continuous process improvement, lifelong learning, and organizational effectiveness in dynamic, metrics-driven environments. Skilled in designing and leading innovative learning programs that boost leadership capabilities, enhance employee engagement, and support sustainable growth.As a longtime Toastmasters leader, currently a District Director, an Elected Executive Leadership role (20••••26) and a past District Program Quality Director (20••••25) an Elected Senior Leadership role, I specialize in creating impactful leadership development initiatives, managing large-scale virtual and hybrid conferences, and elevating communication strategies that empower diverse and engaged teams. Passionate about fostering inclusive cultures where collaboration, engagement, and continuous learning drive performance and innovation.I publish The Workforce Insider newsletter, sharing insights on the future of work, leadership development, employee engagement, and the integration of AI in employee experience. I want to leverage my expertise in strategic planning, program design, and stakeholder engagement to help organizations build resilient, highly engaged, and high-performing Skill:Specialized in applying Design Thinking to prioritize human experience within organizations, fostering empathy, belonging, collaboration, and innovation. By centering on individual needs and perspectives, I drive meaningful improvements that enhance employee experience and organizational success.My Gallup Strengths: Maximizer • Woo • Activator • Focus • AchieverMy Values: Leadership • Change • Lifelong Learning • Growth“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Albert EinsteinAsk Me About: • Employee Engagement, Empathy & Retention• Creative & Strategic Thinking• Effective Communications• Customer Service• Employee Relations• Learning & Development• Leadership & Team Management• Continuous Process Improvement• Change Management• Project & Event Management• Design Thinking Practitioner• Public Speaking• Creating & Facilitating Learning (In-Person/Virtual)• Tools: Workday, Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace

Experience

1. District 103 District Director Elected Executive Role Nonprofit Organization

   Toastmasters International

   Jul 2025 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   As District Director, I serve as the chief executive officer for District 103 Toastmasters, leading a team of volunteer leaders to support over 80+ clubs and hundreds of members. I am responsible for setting the strategic direction, fostering leadership development, and ensuring the operational and financial health of the district. This includes oversight of budgeting, resource allocation, and compliance with Toastmasters International financial policies.My focus is on driving educational excellence, club growth, and member engagement through a collaborative and goal-oriented leadership culture. I work closely with the Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, and Division and Area Directors to align efforts with the Toastmasters mission.Theme for 2025–2026:\"Let’s Put the ‘T’ in Toastmasters Excellence — Through Time, Teamwork, and Transformation\"This theme emphasizes valuing the journey (Time), strengthening collaboration (Teamwork), and empowering leaders and clubs to grow and evolve (Transformation).

Education

• Stanford Continuing Studies

  Continuing Studies, High-Velocity Leadership: New Skills for Navigating Workplace Change

• Roosevelt University

  Master of Music, MM, Flute Performance

  2001

• Stanford Continuing Studies

  Continuing Education, Leadership Skills For Women: Advocate for More

• Stanford Continuing Studies

  Continuing Studies, Your Next Life Chapter: A Design Thinking and Behavioral Science Based Approach

• Columbia College Chicago

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Flute Performance

  1997

• Directions Training Center

  Training and Development

  2014 — 2014

• Columbia University

  Certificate , Global Human Capital Trends

  2017 — 2017

Skills

• Workshop Facilitation
• Business Development
• Event Planning
• Change Management
• Social Networking
• Onboarding
• Interviews
• Leadership Development
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Outlook
• Public Speaking
• Public Relations
• Hiring
• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Applicant Tracking Systems
• Powerpoint
• Program Management
• Time Management
• Budgets
• Team Building
• Management
• Talent Management
• Executive Coaching
• Desktop Publisher
• Talent Acquisition
• Social Media
• Recruiting
• Performance Management
• Employee Training
• Presentation Development
• Training Delivery
• Trend Forecasting
• Leadership
• Customer Service
• Microsoft Office
• Team Leadership
• Training
• Human Resources
• Organizational Development