Deputy Director, Women’s Advancement | Public Policy & Community Impact Leader
Originally from Memphis, TN, Hali E. Smith is a dynamic advocate and public servant with a decade of experience in high-impact organizing. Driven by the mantra, “Change lives by putting dreams into action,” Hali has built a career centered on one clear mandate: putting humanity back into government.
Hali’s advocacy began with a national spotlight. As the Tennessee Co-Coordinator for March for Our Lives, she orchestrated the state’s largest student walkout, sparking a nationwide dialogue on gun control and the school-to-prison pipeline. Her leadership earned her a speaking invitation at the MLK50 anniversary at the National Civil Rights Museum, a testament to her role as a voice in the fight for justice.
Hali’s foundation is as global as it is rigorous:
Clark Atlanta University: B.A. in Mass Media Arts (Public Relations). Served as the youngest SGA Chief of Staff in university history and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.Sigma Chapter
Entrepreneurship: Founded Compass Creation LLC, a project management firm designed to give visionary leaders a “direction they will follow.”
Global Fellowships: Studied in London and Ireland as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow.
Advanced Degrees: Earned a Dual Master’s from Hult International Business School, studying International Business (London) and International Marketing (Boston).
Currently serving as the Deputy Director for the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement, Hali leads strategic initiatives that bridge the gap between policy and people:
Economic Empowerment: She revitalized WEBOS (Women Entrepreneurs Boston), transforming it into a community-centered powerhouse. Her work earned her a the title of Woman Leader in New England’s Startup Scene by StartUp Boston.
Celebrating Leadership: Hali directs Extraordinary Women, Boston’s premier gathering honoring women, youth, and non-binary leaders. Under her guidance, the event has grown into a diverse platform that weaves new stories into the city’s fabric.
Health Equity: Tackling the question, “Why aren’t menstrual products as accessible as toilet paper?”, Hali scaled the city’s Menstrual Equity program. By pivoting to animated, multilingual content, she expanded the program’s reach to thousands and fueled momentum for the IAM Bill in Massachusetts.