Mahoganey Smart
Mahoganey Smart is a dedicated mental and behavioral health professional with over 17 years of experience in direct care, outreach, and intervention services. She currently serves as the Safe Place Coordinator for ACH Child & Family Services, where she leads county-wide youth crisis initiatives and builds trauma-informed programs that support young people in need. Passionate about fostering well-being and resilience, Mahoganey combines her clinical expertise with administrative and operational skills, creating holistic pathways for those facing mental health challenges and housing instability.
In 2023, Mahoganey founded Pave the Way Transitional Living, a nonprofit dedicated to transitional housing and long-term self-sufficiency. Under her leadership, the organization provides comprehensive support in education, employment readiness, financial literacy, and counseling services. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, leveraging partnerships with telehealth providers, counseling centers, housing agencies, and community ministries to create sustainable solutions rather than duplicating existing resources.
Mahoganey holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Virginia College-Jackson and completed phlebotomy training at Faith Agape School of Phlebotomy. Beyond her dual roles in program coordination and nonprofit leadership, she actively contributes to the National Advisory Board for the Safe Place program and has been recognized as the National Safe Place Coordinator of the Year (2025). Her career reflects a deep commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening community networks, and turning vision into actionable, life-changing programs.
• AA Business Administration
• Virginia College-Jackson - A.A.
• National Safe Place Coordinator of the Year (2025)
• National Advisory Board
• Avizak Psychiatry
• Serenity League Counseling
• Renovation Counseling
• Broken To Be a Blessing Outreach Ministry
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, hard work, and a service-driven mindset. I support children in crisis through my full-time role and founded a nonprofit three years ago to help adults experiencing homelessness find housing. Persistence, personal experience, and consistent networking have guided me, allowing me to align my work with purpose and create lasting impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can make a difference. This has guided my work and reinforced my commitment to serving others, a dedication recognized when I received the National Safe Place Award and was named Coordinator of the Year in 2025.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to focus on serving your community. Be service-minded and align your work with your purpose, be patient as you build recognition, and invest in partnerships that create sustainable, effective support for those you serve.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is securing the funding and resources needed to truly serve the community. Nonprofit start-up logistics, slow processes, building community recognition, and the high unmet need in the face of depleted services make this work complex but essential.
At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities. Forming coalitions of providers, partnering with telehealth and counseling services, and opening a transitional living center are all ways to move individuals from crisis to long-term stability while creating a sustainable impact for the community.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are service, faith, and aligning my efforts with purpose. I am committed to giving back, practicing patience, and fostering community-centered support, always striving to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.