Tami B. Smith is a visionary human capital strategist and transformative HR executive whose career spans more than twenty-five years across some of the nation’s most complex and highly regulated federal agencies. Guided by a personal ethos rooted in elevating people, strengthening culture, and enabling organizations to reach their fullest potential, she has built a reputation as a trusted senior leader, board member, and advisor who blends strategic foresight with empathetic, people-centered leadership. Her professional journey reflects a passion for architecting resilient, future-ready workforces and for helping organizations navigate moments of disruption, growth, and transition with clarity and confidence.
Throughout her distinguished career, Tami has led human capital operations for agencies ranging from 700 to more than 30,000 employees, consistently delivering measurable business results while driving modernization, transformation, and cultural alignment. Her work is grounded in a commitment to operational excellence, data-informed decision-making, and the belief that people systems must evolve alongside organizational strategy. This conviction has shaped her ability to execute enterprise-level transformations, inspire cross-functional collaboration, and establish human resources as a strategic partner to senior leadership and boards.
As Deputy Chief People Officer and Chief Negotiator at the Federal Housing Finance Agency—regulator of the $8 trillion secondary mortgage market—Tami led a full rehabilitation of a struggling HR function. She redefined how human capital supported the agency by building trusted partnerships, improving service delivery, and modernizing systems. Her leadership oversaw a $20 million budget and a staff of 35, demonstrating her ability to manage complex operations while advancing high-impact initiatives. During a period of significant transition, she achieved an impressive 92% retention rate, implemented a transformative HRIS with 100% user adoption, and negotiated the agency’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement, setting key precedents for compensation, benefits, and workforce policies.
Before her leadership at FHFA, Tami served as the Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer at the National Credit Union Administration, where she oversaw HR strategy for a 1,200-employee federal agency with a $300 million operating budget. She led deeply impactful organizational changes, including the agency’s first human capital strategic plan, a full digital transformation involving both TMS and HRIS systems, and a major reorganization that realigned 20% of the workforce with zero layoffs. Her leadership elevated engagement scores, strengthened leadership capability, advanced workforce analytics, and improved efficiency—culminating in the agency’s rise into the top five Best Places to Work in the Federal Government.
Earlier, as the Human Resources Director at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Tami established best-in-class HR operations for a 700-person, unionized workforce. She led organizational redesigns, launched award-winning workforce analysis and education frameworks, and built the agency’s first comprehensive recruitment strategy to support major technical hiring initiatives. She also negotiated the organization’s first collective bargaining agreement and was honored with the Administrator’s Award for Teamwork for her strategic partnership and leadership impact.
Tami’s early career across the U.S. Courts, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce provided a strong foundation in policy development, succession planning, workforce strategy, recruitment, labor relations, and compensation. These formative experiences sharpened her ability to understand complex organizational environments and reinforced her commitment to human capital as a driver of mission success.
Beyond her executive career, Tami is an accomplished board leader with service spanning nonprofit, community-based, and faith-based organizations. She has served as Board President for Huntington Crossing Condominiums, where she oversaw governance for a 62-unit community, and as Board President of the Charles Houston Recreation Center Foundation, where she facilitated fundraising initiatives and community programs. At the National Credit Union Administration, she served as Committee Secretary and voting member of the 401(k) Board, supporting fund growth from $50 million to $100 million and achieving 95% employee participation. Her career reflects a profound dedication to service, stewardship, and community impact.
Today, as CEO of Align Vision, LLC, Tami advises organizations across industries through fractional HR leadership, executive coaching, and board advisory services. She guides leaders through complex workforce challenges, designs scalable people strategies, and provides clarity in times of rapid change. Her work emphasizes the integration of business goals with human capital strategy and reflects her lifelong passion for empowering organizations through talent, culture, and operational excellence.
Tami’s education and training—including an Executive Master’s in Leadership from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and a Brain-Based Coaching Certification from the NeuroLeadership Institute—reflect her commitment to continuous growth and learning. She has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who, is an active member of Athena Alliance and How Women Lead, and is known for her dynamic presentations and dedication to mentoring emerging leaders. Outside of her professional life, she is an OrangeTheory Fitness enthusiast who finds joy in spending time with her children, exploring the outdoors, attending live performances, and engaging with her local community.
At the heart of her leadership is a belief in the power of people to transform organizations. Whether guiding large workforces through digital transformation, advising executives on strategic workforce decisions, or shaping future leaders through coaching and mentorship, Tami brings integrity, insight, and unwavering commitment to every endeavor. Her legacy is defined not only by what she builds but by how she empowers others to thrive within it.
Character:
Tami exemplifies character through her unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and fairness in every environment she serves. She demonstrates courage and steadiness during periods of organizational change, inspiring confidence among employees and leaders alike. Her integrity anchors her approach to leadership and fuels trust-based relationships across all levels of an organization.
Knowledge:
She is recognized for her deep and comprehensive understanding of human capital strategy, workforce planning, and organizational culture. Her knowledge spans complex operational structures, regulatory environments, and the nuanced dynamics of large-scale transformation. She continuously expands her expertise through advanced training and real-world leadership experiences that enhance her ability to solve multifaceted challenges.
Strategic:
Tami excels at connecting organizational vision with workforce strategy to shape long-term success and operational alignment. She sees patterns others miss and uses data, analytics, and insight to drive decisions that position organizations for future readiness. Her strategic mindset allows her to lead transformative initiatives that strengthen culture, optimize performance, and guide organizations through growth and transition.
Communication:
Communicating with clarity, empathy, and influence, ensuring alignment among leaders, teams, and stakeholders. Her ability to convey complex concepts in ways that foster understanding and collaboration makes her a trusted advisor and facilitator. Through public speaking, coaching, and executive engagement, she elevates conversations and helps organizations move forward with shared purpose.
