Senior Equity Consultant

Dr. Beverly A. Smith has held numerous leadership and teaching positions in Iowa and works with educators across the country. Prior to her retirement from K-12 education in 2019, Dr. Smith was Associate Superintendent for Human Resources and Equity for the Waterloo Community School District. Just as soon as she retired, she stepped out of retirement to serve as interim principal for Lincoln Elementary in Waterloo from 2019-2020. Since then, she has continued to consult with West Wind and other agencies across the country. 

Bev has contributed to the field of education at the Pre-K through post-secondary levels. Prior professional positions include elementary teacher, director of two child development agencies, elementary principal, and adjunct professor in the education departments of both Wartburg College and the University of Northern Iowa. 

Dr. Smith has been engaged in social justice efforts since 1969 when she participated in an effort to address inequities in the Waterloo school district. She was a member of the cadre responsible for developing and teaching the human relations course required for licensure in Iowa. In addition to her consulting, Bev currently holds numerous volunteer positions at the state and local levels.  

Dr. Smith was the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Northern Iowa. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and elementary education from Cornell College.