Shauna Smith joined the Stanford women's volleyball staff in February 2022 as the Director of Operations. She works closely with Stanford's external relations department, coordinates the team's travel, handles the accounting and program budget as well as assists with the team's community outreach efforts.
Smith is an innovative and dynamic strategist with two decades of experience in sports, entertainment, consumer marketing and non-profit organizational planning. In her various roles, she has been responsible for the successes of elite athletes, startup companies, community organizations and industry leaders.
In 2019 Smith founded GemTalkz, a personal impact, development, self-advocacy and life strategy program focusing on connection, purpose and confidence. Through GemTalkz, she worked with small businesses and executives to promote self-empowerment and leading with your heart to facilitate change. She speaks on national panels to advocate for change on the local and national levels.
A proven brand builder, she has effectively managed diverse and cross-functional teams to deliver highly visible and impactful opportunities that capitalize on unique partnerships and alliances. As the former Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for an international sports agency her primary responsibilities included overseeing brand engagement, partnerships and agency profile while mastering the arts of leadership, impact, collaboration and connection. One of the key highlights of Smith's tenure was serving as the chief architect for the agency’s Pillars of Change Platform created as a form of checks and balances and accountability for the company’s social justice initiatives.
Smith's early professional sports experience includes serving as the Director of an NFL franchise's foundation where she collaborated with team ownership on their philanthropic initiatives. She helped create an award-winning community impact campaign focused on youth development and education. Smith also served as a member of the organization's Diversity Council.
Smith is passionate about connecting people and is an active member of her community, volunteering her time on several committees and boards. Her latest undertaking is co-founding the Educational Alliance for Social Change focused on changing the educational curriculum in her local school system.
Smith played women's volleyball at Arkansas State University from 1996-00. She graduated in 2001 with a degree in Sport Management.
Smith is an innovative and dynamic strategist with two decades of experience in sports, entertainment, consumer marketing and non-profit organizational planning. In her various roles, she has been responsible for the successes of elite athletes, startup companies, community organizations and industry leaders.
In 2019 Smith founded GemTalkz, a personal impact, development, self-advocacy and life strategy program focusing on connection, purpose and confidence. Through GemTalkz, she worked with small businesses and executives to promote self-empowerment and leading with your heart to facilitate change. She speaks on national panels to advocate for change on the local and national levels.
A proven brand builder, she has effectively managed diverse and cross-functional teams to deliver highly visible and impactful opportunities that capitalize on unique partnerships and alliances. As the former Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for an international sports agency her primary responsibilities included overseeing brand engagement, partnerships and agency profile while mastering the arts of leadership, impact, collaboration and connection. One of the key highlights of Smith's tenure was serving as the chief architect for the agency’s Pillars of Change Platform created as a form of checks and balances and accountability for the company’s social justice initiatives.
Smith's early professional sports experience includes serving as the Director of an NFL franchise's foundation where she collaborated with team ownership on their philanthropic initiatives. She helped create an award-winning community impact campaign focused on youth development and education. Smith also served as a member of the organization's Diversity Council.
Smith is passionate about connecting people and is an active member of her community, volunteering her time on several committees and boards. Her latest undertaking is co-founding the Educational Alliance for Social Change focused on changing the educational curriculum in her local school system.
Smith played women's volleyball at Arkansas State University from 1996-00. She graduated in 2001 with a degree in Sport Management.