Martin Smith, AIA, NCARB, CAE is a strategist, facilitator, and systems thinker who helps organizations move from chaos to clarity. With over 15 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector—including as Assistant Vice President at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)—Martin has led national initiatives in strategic planning, volunteer engagement, outreach, and leadership development.
He brings a unique ability to see patterns in complexity and help teams find direction amidst uncertainty. Whether building coalitions across sectors or guiding communities through conflict and transformation, Martin excels at creating space for innovation, inclusion, and practical action.
Rooted in both professional rigor and contemplative practice, Martin integrates insights from Buddhist training, facilitation models, and decades of experience leading collaborative, people-focused teams. His approach is bold, playful, and grounded, designed for those ready to grow through disruption.
I love the moments when things are in flux—when the usual structures are shaken up, the path isn’t obvious, and people feel just a bit uncomfortable. That’s when the air is thick with possibility. Amid the uncertainty, you can spot the hidden gems: a new direction, a better process, a long-overdue insight.
Sometimes change arrives with excitement and clarity. Other times, it’s messy and full of tension. Either way, it means transformation is happening, or about to. My favorite moments are when someone says, “Wow, I never thought about it that way,” or “Now I can see how things could be different.” Those perspective shifts are where growth begins; for people and organizations alike.
