Mrs Smith has had a rewarding career spanning 18 years across various settings including education and health care, with a focus on advocating for people who identify at risk or are culturally diverse. She recently led a team implementing strengths-based birthing services designed to support the health and wellbeing of families in South East Queensland during the perinatal period. In this role Mrs Smith led a team of Family Support Practitioners to support a caseload of women considered to have higher needs or require complex management during their pregnancy, birthing, and early childhood period. Mrs Smith recently joined the Indigenous Health Projects team at Mater Research Institute as Senior Indigenous Research Assistant, and brings leadership and expertise in working collaboratively, with a focus on Indigenous communities’ strengths and resilience, and the ability to provide cultural mentoring and support to non-Indigenous members of her team. Mrs Smith has a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioural Studies (Psychology/Public Relations) and a Certificate III in Education Support.