Joan S. Smith founded Leadership Consultants International, Inc. in January 1995, and serves as President of the company. She has coached over 250,000 people in her career that has spanned over 30 years. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She attributes her unique coaching style to her own vision of personal growth - in which she committed her life to make a difference.

In April 1997, Joan was nominated for a “Women in Business” Award at the Orange County Business Journal’s Annual Awards Luncheon. In addition, Joan has worked as a bilingual educator and led seminars for 13 years for groups with diverse cultural backgrounds. She trained organizational staff and ran a million-dollar business that grew and expanded during a time of adversity. All of this happened with teamwork and joy!

Joan stands for open and honest communication, integrity as a priority, and making a qualitative difference in the business world. 

Some of Joan's interests are snow skiing, hiking, bicycling, swimming, and the Catholic Faith. Joan did her first Sprint Triathlon in Laguna Beach in 2005 (just after her fifty-fifth birthday). In 2009, she led eight "Spirituality and Confidence" Retreat Workshops for those in job transition with Fr. Chris Heath throughout Orange County, and one in Pasadena with Abbot Francis Benedict. She has also coached the Parish Staff of St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel in a one-day off site staff enrichment day.

Joan’s forward thinking is represented in everything she does. She claims that extraordinary service, communication and integrity are most needed in leadership circles today and this represents the essence of her work.