Carol A. Smock
Carol A. Smock is a seasoned technology professional and nonprofit leader with over 30 years of experience in the technology sector, specializing in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, workforce development, and training. She began her career in the call and contact center industry in the 1990s, focusing on integrating legacy systems to provide organizations with a complete view of their customers. As technology evolved, Carol transitioned into Microsoft Dynamics CRM consulting, spending nearly two decades helping businesses optimize their customer relationship management systems and digital strategies.
Today, Carol serves as the Executive Director of TechFluent, where she leads initiatives that create pathways for underrepresented communities into technology careers. Her work focuses on leveraging AI and other emerging tools to amplify human potential, while also emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of organizational development. She combines technical expertise with mentorship and education, empowering individuals and organizations to thrive in rapidly changing technological landscapes.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Carol is deeply committed to philanthropy and community support. She founded the Brown Dog Foundation to help families access veterinary care, serves on the board of VetBilling, and actively supports animal rescues and shelter programs. Through both her professional and personal endeavors, she exemplifies a dedication to mentorship, community impact, and creating meaningful opportunities for others.
• MB-200 Microsoft Power Platform + Dynamics 365 Core
• MS: Microsoft Dynamics Customization and Configuration in CRM 2013 Specialist
• School of Hard Knocks — Professional Mentorship & Experiential Learning
• Influential Women 2026
• Dynamics Communities
• Dynamics User Group
• Directions North America
• TechFluent (Executive Director)
• Brown Dog Foundation (Founder)
• Animal Rescue and Shelter Organizations
• Organizations Supporting Families with Veterinary Care Costs
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to three key things. First and foremost is the strong foundation that Kathleen Kelly gave me early in my career. She was the CEO of the company I worked for in my youth, and she really took me under her wing and taught me the ropes of the call center industry. She taught me to be a critical thinker and how to behave professionally. If it weren't for her, I don't think I'd be where I am today. Second is staying true to the advice that my father gave me, which has guided me throughout my career. And third is the broad network of people that support me. Those three things have definitely aided my career, and if it weren't for them, I don't believe I could be successful.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was probably from my father, who said, if you're not making someone mad, you're probably not doing enough. I've tried to tone it down a little bit over the years to something more like, if you're not rocking the boat a little bit, you're probably not doing enough. But the general consensus is that if you're just moving along status quo, you're probably not really doing what you need to be doing. It does take a little bit of upsetting the apple cart to make waves and make movement forward. I try not to do too much craziness, but I do like to make sure that I am moving things forward.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is around artificial intelligence and how it's being perceived. I walked into a conference earlier this year that was a little disturbing for me because it felt like the whole world was feeling like AI was truly taking over jobs. But what I'm seeing through the lens of the Microsoft space and what's really being implemented out there is that it's not taking over. We are teaching people to use it to amplify their role, as opposed to looking at it as a way to get rid of workers. That's really where I'm spending a lot of my time - helping to re-educate and reinforce that message that it is an amplification tool and not a takeover tool. It's amplifying people's careers and roles rather than replacing them, and that's an exciting message I'm working to craft with our board and our leaders.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work and personal life, diversity, equity, and inclusion are incredibly important to me. I am still a firm believer that we have not made near enough strides in that arena as a country or as a world, and I'm passionate about any organization that's supportive of people in this way. I also deeply value animals and supporting animal welfare causes. I support a lot of the rescues and shelter organizations in my community here in the Carlsbad, San Diego area, as well as national organizations that help families who find themselves on hard times and need help funding life-saving veterinary care for their pets. That's actually what my own nonprofit, Brown Dog Foundation, used to do before I closed it down. On a personal level, I love dogs, I love wine, and I love spending time with friends, laughing, and enjoying the outdoors. Those moments of connection and joy are what matter most to me.