Lesley Smith
HR Manager, Early Career Programmes, EMI Global
Joined EMI May 2016Professional Training & Experience
- Bachelor of Arts; Virginia Tech
- International Field Staff, Reliant Mission (formerly Great Commission Ministries), 2013-2016
- Intern Coordinator & Event Coordinator, EMI Nicaragua, 2016-2018
- HR Manager, Early Career Programmes, EMI Global Office, 2019 - present
Ministry Experience
Lesley began serving as an expat missionary in Danli, Honduras in 2013, working with a local church plant of the Great Commission Latin America network. There, she learned first-hand how various kinds of social projects can bring people to the gospel, tending to physical needs while also meeting spiritual needs. She worked as the lead teacher at the local church's childrens development center, and also helped coordinate short term mission teams that visited the Danli church.
In 2016, Lesley moved to Managua, Nicaragua to help launch the EMI Nicaragua office, which serves other ministries in Nicaragua and throughout Central America by providing professional design and construction services in a culturally appropriate and sustainable way. At EMI Nicaragua, Lesley had the privilege of developing EMI Nicaragua's intern programme for both international and local intern participants (including hosting orientation in two languages!), in addition to working as an executive assistant for the office director and event coordinator.
Lesley's passion for this in-house ministry opportunity of EMI to disciple the next generation of design professionals during some of the most formative years of their adult lives continues on. In 2019, Lesley moved back to the United States to join the EMI Global Office and oversee the intern programme amongst EMI's twelve offices worldwide. Since that time, Lesley's role has expanded, and she now also manages the EMI's second worldwide discipleship programme, the fellowship programme, for early career staff joining EMI. Lesley is a part of the Global HR team and has roles to support that team, in addition to helping coordinate worldwide events put on by the Global office.
Family
Lesley has a beautiful son, Avery Lucas, who is now five years old and thriving. Two years ago, God gave them their first home of their own, and they have since been putting down more roots in Colorado.