Brian Smith

Certified Harwood Coach
Asia-Pacific Representative

Based in Australia, Brian Smith serves as The Harwood Institute's Asia-Pacific Representative.

Brian works with organizations and local communities to include the voices and experience of those who are not heard, marginalized or dismissed as alien or “other” in the shaping of understanding, policy and action. This consistent thread has motivated his focus on organizational and community change in diverse leadership roles within the Uniting Church and the non-government sector in Australia over nearly four decades and generated a record of innovation, unconventional thinking and bold action.

After attending a Public Innovators Lab in the USA in 2013, Brian was instrumental in bringing The Harwood Institute to Australia in 2014 to conduct the first Public Innovators Lab in the southern hemisphere. His belief in the relevance of the Institute’s insights and practice to Australia has only deepened since that time. He has led face to face and online Labs and coaching over the past six years and seen the positive impact of the practice rippling out across a number of communities.

Spending time with his wife, Sue, and their adult children and their families is a high priority. Grandparenting is a constant joy. In addition, he is a keen cook and gardener and continues to attempt to learn Mandarin, despite his inconsistent efforts and lack of success.