Meet Renée:
Bold. Gutsy. Radically Kind.
WRITER . SPEAKER . RESEARCHER.
LOVING LEADER.
Hi, I’m Renée!
Here’s why I’m passionate about transforming leadership and the workplace with Love.
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced the transformational power of love over fear. At 27, a devastating loss upended my world, leaving me to navigate grief, regret, and uncertainty while raising my young family. For years, fear shaped my choices—until I made the courageous decision to reclaim my future. With the love and support of family and friends, I rebuilt my life and learned firsthand the transformative power of love.
That experience shaped me as a person and, ultimately, as a leader. Years later, while leading workplace transformation efforts for a 60,000-person organization, I came full circle—realizing that love is not just personal; it belongs at work too. My research confirmed what I had already come to believe: humans do their best work when they feel valued, safe, and connected. Yet too many workplaces are ruled by fear, leaving employees disengaged, exhausted, and unfulfilled.
I refuse to accept that as the norm.
I’ve dedicated my career to challenging outdated leadership models and replacing them with something far more powerful: Love. Love at the center of leadership. Love at the center of work. Love at the center of change.
When we build workplaces on love instead of fear, people flourish—and when people flourish, businesses thrive, families thrive, and communities thrive too! That’s the win-win-win-win I am passionate about sharing with the world.
In March 2020, Renée launched A Human Workplace, a global consultancy and training venture with 30+ affiliates in the US, Canada, and the UK all dedicated to making work more loving and human. Renée’s focuses on Loving Leadership and Loving workplace culture.
In April of 2023, Renée and Lili Boyanova Hugh co-founded the Center for a Loving Workplace, a 501(c)3, transforming workplaces with the love, CLW curates and amplifies research and education for a global, heart-centered community.
More about Renée Smith
Renée Smith is a keynote speaker, behavioral scientist, and workplace transformation expert committed to bringing more love and less fear into organizations worldwide. As the Founder & CEO of A Human Workplace and Co-Founder of the Center for a Loving Workplace, she helps leaders create cultures where people feel safe, valued, and free to bring their best selves to work by putting love at the center o f leadership and work.
Renée’s groundbreaking research on love in the workplace—along with her background in organizational development, neuroscience, and behavioral science—makes her a sought-after thought leader in leadership and culture change. She previously served as Director of Workplace Transformation in the Governor’s Office for the State of Washington, a role created specifically for her to bring the message of loving leadership to state agencies and teams.
A passionate speaker and advisor, Renée has delivered keynotes, workshops, and leadership programs across industries—including healthcare, education, technology, finance, manufacturing, and social services. Her work has helped leaders and teams increase trust, engagement, and collaboration, leading to measurable improvements in productivity, problem-solving, and retention.
When she’s not speaking or advising, Renée loves to row her single shell on the Puget Sound, make craft cocktails for friends, and explore cities around the world with her husband, Jim.
Learn more about Renée’s professional education and experience on her LinkedIn profile.
Talking About Love
It’s powerful. It’s meaningful. It’s an invitation to be fully human!
