About Smith Baker

Smith Baker is an executive coaching and strategic consulting firm created from the entrepreneurial, community-centered, inventive leadership of Chanda Smith Baker. An experienced CEO nationally renowned for her power and poise in leadership, Chanda has proven success leading complex organizations, recognizing and nurturing talent, and engaging and activating audiences toward racial equity and a broadened social impact.

Award-winning Podcast

A nationally respected CEO, philanthropist, community leader and entrepreneur, Chanda tackles the gritty issues that communities wrestle with while diving even deeper into the profoundly personal stories that drive her guests to use their voice, leadership and resources to make a difference in their communities.

From national luminaries like former attorney general Eric Holder, Dr. Yaba Blay, Valerie Jarret and Ibram X. Kendi the Conversations with Chanda podcast explores and celebrates the idea that everyone can use their leadership platform to make a difference. Download today.

Executive Coaching

Smith Baker provides a safe, trusted space for individuals, teams and executive leadership to look deeper: to navigate change, consider different perspectives, connect to the possibility and purpose of a new direction. With Chanda’s intentional and grounded guidance, you will gain clarity and insight with actionable strategies to elevate your personal and organizational brand, cultivate talent, create a culture of collaboration, cohesion and excellence and improve your leadership effectiveness.

Leading Conversations that Matter

With Susan Taylor

Susan Taylor is an author, activist, and the Founder & CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement. Chanda sat down with Susan to discuss the importance of healing from trauma, the barriers we need to break down, and Susan’s time as Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine.

with Dr. Josie Johnson

Dr. Josie Johnson has dedicated her life to activism and philanthropy, spending years working alongside underrepresented communities. Dr. Johson during "Conversation with Chanda," a live event and podcast dug into the lessons that can be learned from Johnson’s years of advocacy experience.

With the Innocence Project

Emcee for the evening: Great North Innocence Project: at Quincy Hall in Minneapolis for their 20th annual Benefit for Innocence. The theme was “The Science of Justice.” keynote address by Innocence Project co-founder, Peter Neufeld

With Women's Foundation

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota named Chanda Smith Baker as a recipient of the 2021 Mary Lee Dayton Catalyst for Change award. She were presented with the award at the annual Leadership & Legacy Circle for Women and Girls Celebration.

In The News

Chanda Smith Baker – An Executive Leader and Philanthropist Who Believes in Equity, The Power of Community and Endless Possibilities

CIO Views - The 10 Most inspiring Business women of 2022

“Toward a New Philanthropy: Advancing the Genius of Black-Led Change”

NP Quarterly - Spring 2023 Issue

“This One Is Personal: How Chanda Smith Baker Creates Community & Impact In Minneapolis.”

Essence Magazine CEO sits down with Chanda Smith Baker