From Jamaica to CEO: Wendy Smith’s Journey to Leading With Impact

Wendy Smith is the founder of The Soomitz Group, a woman- and minority-owned consulting firm that brings clarity and structure to operational chaos. With over 20 years of experience across IT, healthcare, government, and transportation, she helps teams deliver projects successfully—even when they’re not formally trained in project management.In this episode, Wendy shares her journey into project management and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of aligning projects with business goals, creating visibility into priorities, and fostering communication and collaboration through strong leadership. Wendy also offers practical, action-ready techniques for breaking down silos, overcoming inefficiencies, and keeping teams aligned through relationships and regular check-ins.Whether through workshops, consulting, or stage talks, Wendy energizes audiences and equips them with tools to lead and execute with confidence—making project success both accessible and achievable.Takeaways• Aligning projects with business goals is crucial.• Many teams operate in silos, leading to inefficiencies.• Leadership must foster open communication.• Regular prioritization sessions can help focus efforts.• Building relationships is key to successful project management.• Training non-project managers can enhance project outcomes.• Visibility into project priorities is essential for success.• People appreciate being asked for their input.• Simplicity in project management techniques can drive results.• Pivoting based on feedback is necessary for growth.