Who We Are
Social Impact Architects works with social changemakers to create transformative solutions to social issues. We provide consulting and learning experiences to the sector, providing the tools and expertise to accelerate and increase their community impact.

Our Team
Our results-oriented team is led by founder and CEO, Suzanne Smith and supported by a gifted and diverse group of staff and contractors. We also regularly leverage outside talent as subject matter experts.

Suzanne Smith
Founder & CEO
Suzanne Smith is a trailblazer in the social sector, reimagining what’s possible at the intersection of nonprofit, government and business for nearly three decades. As the founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects, she is a sought-after educator, speaker and the author of Social TrendSpotter blog on Substack. Suzanne empowers changemakers to dream bigger and lead smarter. Through bold ideas and practical frameworks, she helps leaders turn vision into meaningful, lasting impact. She holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, where she was honored as a CASE Scholar.

Catherine Deeken
Executive Assistant/Director of Analysis

Amanda Keen Basler
Editor

Ashley Nemec
Senior Consultant

Thomas Samandi
Senior Associate
Social Impact Architects became a Certified B Corporation in 2014 and were honored to be recognized as “Best for the World” by B Lab for many years until the award was discontinued. To learn more about the company’s commitment to our employees, community, environment and our clients, please read our 2024 annual report and view our GIIRS Rating Report.
Inclusion & Belonging Statement
Our mission at Social Impact Architects has always centered on helping organizations become the best version of themselves, and we’ve been proud of our impact over the past 16 years.
We also recognize that workplaces – as microcosms of the larger society – are currently being called to confront and overcome inequities related to race, class, sex, gender, disability and more. These biases, both conscious and unconscious, are powerful drivers of unequal and harmful outcomes for individuals and communities.
At Social Impact Architects, we support the ongoing work to dismantle institutional inequities and affirm that intentional actions toward inclusivity and belonging are essential to the well-being of our communities, our country and our workplaces.
Our commitments to our clients include:
- Continual learning. We don’t know what we don’t know, and we are committed to educating ourselves as individual professionals and as a team on issues of inclusivity, privilege, institutional racism, unconscious bias and more.
- Constructive conversations. We will engage in and encourage healing conversations grounded in deep listening, humility, empathy, openness to new perspectives, non-defensiveness, authenticity and clarity.
- Better representation. As we continue to grow as a firm, we are committed to building a team that more accurately reflects the populations we serve.
- Client support. We will support our clients in their efforts toward inclusion and belonging. This includes partnering with them on existing initiatives and ensuring that our leadership and employee workshops reflect these values.