Hi. I’m Ann Smith, Founder of Guide & Grow.
I help businesses design customized team development, leadership learning, and talent management strategies that spark engagement, maximize potential, and drive real results in today’s evolving workplace.
About Ann Smith. Founder
Learning Strategist | Custom Designer| Team Performance Partner
Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with leaders and teams across industries — from engineering and IT to food manufacturing, healthcare, property management, government, and nonprofits.
Unlike one-size-fits-all training companies, Guide & Grow designs customized learning experiences that match the unique goals and challenges of each organization we serve — whether a growing startup or a global enterprise.
"My superpower is uncovering team and business priorities, then crafting learning strategies that deliver lasting growth."
With a strong foundation in English (BA and MA) and advanced studies in psycholinguistics, I’m passionate about how people learn — and how learning drives performance.
Beyond the workplace, you’ll find me running marathons, supporting animal welfare causes, coaching Girls on the Run, and raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
At Guide & Grow, we collaborate with a trusted network of HR and talent development professionals to help you:
Build high-performing teams
Develop leadership capabilities
Create clear career pathing strategies
Strengthen employee engagement and retention
We’re here to help you transform the way your team grows, connects, and succeeds.
“I found Ann to be highly collaborative, extremely insightful, an engaging and talented facilitator and presenter, and a true partner on training projects and initiatives”.
-Natalie Caldwell, Global Partner Segment Development Manager, Microsoft
Credentials / Certifications:
Wiley Certified Partner (DiSC, Five Behaviors) | TalentSmart (EQ 2.0) | Blanchard (SLII® Leadership Training, Coaching Essentials®, Conversational Capacity®, Courageous Inclusion™) | Crucial Learning (Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue) | The Myers-Briggs Company (MBTI Assessment) | Development Dimensions International (DDI)
“Healthy striving is self-focused: "How can I improve?"
Perfectionism is other-focused: "What will they think?”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
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