Christi Venable

Christi Venable is an award-winning Business Owner, Organizational Leadership and Culture Change
Expert and Speaker. She’s the founder of SMILE Therapy Services, a multi-million-dollar mental health
agency that she managed to build from the ground up. SMILE Therapy Services is committed to
providing top-notch mental health services that help people heal and lead happier lives through
transformative counseling — one person, one spirit, and one smile at a time.
In 2020, Christi was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Businessperson of the Year
for Washington D.C. In 2022, SMILE Therapy was named one of the fastest growing companies in the
United States by Inc. 5000. That same year, Christi was honored as an Enterprising Women of the Year
awardee. As a minority and women owned company, she’s proud to be certified with WBENC, 8a and
NMSDC.
Today, Christi employs a team of therapists -- all people of color – while continuing to serve
individuals, school systems and fortune 500 organizations. As a leadership and culture expert, she’s now
helping top leaders improve their culture so they can increase employee wellness, retention and build a
happy workforce. No matter the industry, you can count on Christi’s team to weave in leadership
training focused on dynamic topics such as emotional intelligence, productivity, and effective
communication. SMILE Therapy staff have been leading facilitators in the mental health and wellness
arena since its foundation in 2015. Over the years SMILE Therapy has developed an arsenal of
workshops that speak to the needs of a diverse market and an ever-changing social climate. Some of the
most sought-after topics include Leading with Effective Communication, Leveraging your Leadership
Style, Mental Health Spot-Checking, Sexual Harassment, Resiliency, Self-Care and Stress Management,
The Power of Patience and many more.
Christi received her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree
from George Washington University. Christi Venable is a National Certified Counselor, A Licensed
Professional Counselor, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor