Dr. Donald Smith, ME&A Performance Enhancement Expert Since Founding, Passes Away
ME&A announces with deep sadness the passing of Dr. Donald Smith, a pivotal figure in the firm’s history and a thought leader in leadership, management, adult learning, and performance enhancement. Dr. Smith passed away surrounded by family and loved ones. His remarkable career touched lives across the globe and left an indelible mark on ME&A and the communities he served worldwide.
“My journey with Don began before the founding of ME&A,” said ME&A President and CEO Teresita Perez. “I still vividly remember my first international assignment in Ecuador, which focused on adult learning and change. In need of a training partner, I turned to Don, knowing his expertise and fluency in Spanish would made him the perfect fit. Without hesitation, he joined me, and together, we embarked on what would be the start of a life-long partnership. When I founded ME&A with three other partners, I was deeply grateful that Don chose to be part of that vision, contributing his unparalleled expertise for more than 35 years. He embodied the principles ME&A stands for – empathy, resilience, and the power of human connection.”
Dr. Smith’s path to ME&A was shaped by a lifetime dedicated to service, scholarship, and transformation. He began his career with the “Order of the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society” as a Catholic priest in the Dominican Republic, a role that ignited his lifelong passion for guiding and uplifting others. His spiritual foundation informed his commitment to compassion, ethical leadership, and relentless pursuit of knowledge – qualities that would define his contributions at ME&A for more than 35 years.
“Don was and always will be ME&A’s mentor – a visionary and a compassionate leader whose influence shaped every facet of our mission. The training programs he led reflected his deep belief that sustainable development begins by empowering individuals and institutions to reach their highest potential,” said former ME&A President and CEO Tom England. “Don’s practical, results-driven approach was rooted in empathy, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to fostering growth and transformation. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us all.”
Said Director of Finance and Accounting Fekadu “Fred” Belayneh, “I have known Don since I joined ME&A back in 2012. He was an amazing human being with versatile knowledge of many disciplines. Specifically, he was a ‘walking encyclopedia’ of management, organizational behavior, and leadership. His methodology of training was superb and the impact on ME&A’s staff was also incredible.”
After leaving the priesthood, Dr. Smith took on a role as an Educational Technologist with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s Department of Instruction, where he focused on integrating technology into schools to improve learning. He then moved to Albany, New York, to serve as Assistant to the Chairman of the Counseling Department in the School of Education at the State University of New York. Later, he returned to his native Canada, where he held several leadership positions with the Canadian Department of National Defense and the Ministry of Transport in Ottawa. During this time, Dr. Smith also earned a doctorate in Adult Education from the University of Toronto, further strengthening his expertise in developing impactful learning experiences.
After retiring from government service, Dr. Smith became the Director of Educational and Learning Technology at the Montreal International Aviation Management Training Institute. At the same time, he served as a Professor at the University of Ottawa, teaching leadership and adult education courses. Dr. Smith also joined ME&A as Vice President for Global Learning and Performance Technologies. For ME&A, he developed and conducted training programs related to managerial leadership, team building, strategic thinking, and “instructional techniques” while serving as the firm’s leadership mentor – all while continuing as a part-time professor and consultant for the global aviation community.
“I feel very fortunate to have known Don as a mentor and a friend. I still remember working closely with him more than 25 years ago. His positive and honest feedback gave me the encouragement and self-confidence I needed to start a new professional path that shaped my future,” said Director of Contracts Ani Madriz. “As a person, he was very kind, and as a professional, he was generous in sharing his knowledge and experience with others.”
Said Communications and Geographic Information Systems Specialist Thomas G. England, “Don was more than a mentor in shaping the way I see my career and my place in the world. He always made time to sit down, talk things through, and share thoughtful, genuine advice. He had this incredible way of listening deeply and offering insights that felt wise but never overreaching.”
Dr. Smith conducted training in more than 40 countries for ME&A and the global aviation community. He was still working part-time into retirement, conducting in-person training until the pandemic hit when he was 84. The need to social distance as high risk for COVID-19, however, had him stop. He then turned to blogging for ME&A’s website on leadership, resilience, and performance enhancement. Soon Dr. Smith’s writings for ME&A’s website became a source of inspiration, attracting a global following for their depth and authenticity.
Dr. Smith is survived by his family, a global community of colleagues and friends, and a body of work that will continue to guide and inspire for generations to come.