Laurie Smith serves as the Programs Coordinator for the Montana World Affairs Council. Originally from Nevada, Laurie attended the University of Nevada – Reno, earning a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology. She has worked for various school districts in Nevada as a Speech Therapist serving a diverse student population of all ages. Her experience led her to foster a passion for understanding other cultures and the importance of providing opportunities for students to do the same. She has also lived in Oregon and Tennessee, she moved to Bozeman, MT in 2020. Upon moving to Bozeman, she worked for the Gallatin - Madison Special Education Cooperative traveling around to rural county schools to provide Speech Therapy. Laurie loves to travel and learn about other cultures whenever she can.

She joined the council in 2023 and lives in Bozeman with her husband and three kids Zach, Georgia, & Blake.