Lara Smith is a nonprofit governance consultant and coach who loves helping people and organizations reach their goals. Before launching her consulting work, she spent years inside two of Atlanta’s most innovative theatre companies, Dad’s Garage and Actor’s Express, serving as Managing Director. In those roles, she handled everything from strategic planning to fundraising to day-to-day operations, guiding each company through growth, change, and the ongoing work of supporting the artists who make the mission possible. Today, Lara brings that same steady, practical approach to her coaching and consulting practice. She partners with nonprofits and creative leaders on capacity-building, leadership transitions, program design, and decision-making that reflects the organization’s goals and culture. She’s especially known for turning complicated situations into clear next steps, navigating tough conversations with calm and care, and building systems that let artists and teams do their best work.