Leigh Smith, MSW, MBA, CPHQ is a Business Consultant with the UGA SBDC in DeKalb

Leigh brings 25 years of experience in healthcare and hospital executive leadership, with a career that spans entrepreneurship, education and community engagement. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and has extensive experience in operations management, risk management, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, strategy and process optimization.

She is recognized as a strong people leader with a collaborative approach, helping business owners and organizations strengthen systems, navigate change, align strategy with purpose, improve performance and build resilient organizations equipped for long-term success.  Her work has consistently been guided by a commitment to service, empathy, and the development of individuals and teams.

Leigh’s consulting style blends operational excellence with human-centered leadership, equipping business owners to grow with clarity, resilience, and long-term impact.