Kelly Smith

Brainstormer, Global soul, Philanthropist

Kelly Smith is the Founder and Chair of the Board for the Center for Living Peace, Orange County (www.goodhappens.org). The concept driving the development of the Center can be summed up in one simple phrase: “Good Happens”. The Center for Living Peace provides a beautiful and inviting place for people to experience classes and programs that encourage children and adults to “Be the Change they wish to see in the world”. Classes and events are dedicated to each of our four program pillars: • inner work and development • peace making and effective communication • safeguarding the environment • arts and culture This holistic approach to living peace acknowledges that peace can be lived and experienced in all aspects of our daily lives. The work of uncovering peace is not just through conflict resolution and mediation – it is in the way we care for our environment, appreciate arts and culture, and in every word we speak and every action we take. Our Living Peace Series is another important facet of the work of the Center. In partnership with the University of California, Irvine, the Center for Living Peace sponsors Living Peace, a series of conversations with international leaders committed to making the world a healthy, sustainable, and compassionate place. The Living Peace Series encourages their guests to take action. Our working groups initiative is a forum for interested parties to talk about how they might effectively contribute to the field of work or organization that is being presented. Local philanthropists, representatives from children’s service and peace organizations, students, academics and researchers in the field being discussed are invited to take part in discussions that encourage action based on collaboration. Past speakers for the Living Peace Series have included Charlize Theron, Sir Richard Branson, Geena Davis, Abigail Disney and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Ms. Smith is also an active philanthropist in Orange County and beyond, most notably as a member of the Orange County Community Foundation Board of Directors. She is also on the Western Regional Advisory Board of Jumpstart and has played an active role in their well-known Read for the Record event. Kelly is also on the Foundation Board of the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Living Peace, Making Good Happen, and Having Fun