Inspiration
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elping people improve their lives has always been a part of Tamara Smith's life’s purpose. From corporate America to the non-profit sector, she has made a difference by improving the health and well being of individuals and families, providing opportunities for women to improve their economic sustainability and developing young leaders. For the past 30 years, Smith has held positions that have enabled her to make leadership decisions on health care plans affecting thousands of lives. She has served as President and CEO of D.C. Chartered Health Plan, CEO and Executive Vice President of Capital Community Health Plan, Director of Government Relations and Director of Marketing at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, and in other top leadership positions.
Monica: How has being CEO of the National Capital Area YWCA impacted your life versus being the CEO of an organization in the corporate world? Tamara: That’s an interesting question. I think it certainly gives me a level of satisfaction, and a feeling that the work that we're doing is making a difference. It certainly allows me to work with a group of very dedicated and passionate staff members and board members. It allows me the opportunity to interact with young men and women who are trying to transform their lives. It brings me into very different circles, foundations and corporate organizations that want to support this mission and this work. It brings me into different advocacy circles, so it's a different group of individuals that are focused on supporting, financially and philanthropically, organizations that do the work that we do.
While fulfilling her passion for helping people improve their health and well being, Smith has made an amazing
Tamara A. Smith transition from corporate America to the non-profit sector and currently serves as CEO of the YWCA, National Capital Area. Her impeccable record and desire to achieve excellence have enabled her to help organizations establish clear visions, and achieve organizational goals, increase customer satisfaction, exceed membership goals and budget objectives. Smith also currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Lake Forest College, the Excel Institute for Automotive Training, the Nonprofit Roundtable and YWCA MidAtlantic Regional Council. She has also served in leadership, volunteer or advisory roles for other organizations, including: Whitman Walker Clinic, Hoop Dreams and Medicaid Health Plans of America. Smith shared her passion for strong advocacy for the health and well being of women and families with Exceptional People Magazine.
Monica: As CEO of the National Capital Area Chapter, how many people or members do you support? Tamara: Well, it's not a typical association. In other words, the YWCA National Capital Area is its own freestanding organization. It has its own board of directors and is fully independent in terms of managing its finance and operations. And we are a part of Mid-Atlantic Region, so there are a number of other YWCAs in the region. We're all part of a mid-Atlantic regional council. Then there are nine regions around the country that are part of YWCA, and they make up the national coordinating board of the YWCA U.S.A. We're not focused on building a membership, if you will. Monica: What are some of the core areas that you focus on when it comes to helping families and women become self-sufficient? Tamara: We focus on three areas, to include education and training in both early childhood development and child November-December 2011 | Exceptional People Magazine | 71