Giving Yourself Permission to Live, Grow, Explore and be with Stephenie Smith

The Cocktail Hour Podcast

As co-founder and managing partner, Stephenie is Sophic's lead authority on executive project management, organizational structure & design, and operations improvement. She has led a number of efforts to align not-for-profit policy with community investments, with a special emphasis on large-scale transformation.

Additionally, she serves as Chief Strategy Officer with NourishKC, an organization committed to ending hunger in greater Kansas City and beyond. Stephenie is engaged in the revitalization of the community by fostering strategic partnerships and leading program innovations.

In her previous role as Executive Director of the Linwood Y, Stephenie's efforts, along with a team of volunteers and staff, resulted in the successful completion of a $12 million capital campaign. Above all, her work is shaped by a holistic approach to well-being and the belief that equity matters.

With over 20 years of experience, Stephenie’s work has focused on the effects of poverty and oppression. In doing so, community revitalization, change management and diversity, equity & inclusion have taken center stage. These involvements have led to her serving on a number of local boards and national committees. Stephenie is a graduate of Fisk University and the University of Tennessee College of Social Work.