Her Story
About Monique
Monique Smith-Sarr, MA, MBA, is a cross-sector strategist, instructor, and doctoral researcher based in Las Vegas, Nevada, with more than a decade of experience spanning communications, brand strategy, public policy, and organizational leadership. She began her professional career in 2010 when she co-founded Hunter Smith Consulting with her brother, initially working in sports representation where they signed and managed NFL athletes, including players from the Green Bay Packers, through 2016. From there, she expanded into corporate public relations and marketing, leading initiatives and campaigns for major global brands including Ford Motor Company, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Google, and Apple.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Monique and her firm strategically pivoted into digital marketing and communications, while she simultaneously returned to academia to advance her credentials, earning both an MBA and a second master’s degree. This academic and professional evolution led her into higher education at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where she initially began as a student and was later engaged professionally to support MGM Resorts International and UNLV in communications and workforce development initiatives. Her work ultimately evolved into instructional leadership, bridging real-world industry experience with applied learning in higher education.
Today, Monique serves as a Community Educator and instructor at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where she teaches professional communication, public speaking, executive development, leadership, HR management essentials, and nonprofit organization development. She also continues to lead Hunter Smith Consulting, focusing on strategic communications, film and media product placement, and red-carpet and entertainment industry events. She earned her MBA from Central Michigan University and holds an MA in Urban Leadership and Public Policy, bringing a research-driven focus to AI governance and institutional decision-making in her ongoing doctoral studies. Across all her work, she is committed to helping organizations communicate effectively, lead with clarity, and build sustainable systems for long-term success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monique
01What do you attribute your success to?
She attributes her success to the consistent support of her community and family, who have invested in her growth and development throughout her journey. That foundation of encouragement and belief in her potential has shaped her commitment to excellence and resilience in her professional life. In turn, she is intentional about paying that support forward by creating opportunities, fostering mentorship, and ensuring others have access to the guidance, resources, and encouragement they need to succeed.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice she has ever received came from a defining moment when she met Debra Lee, former CEO of a major media network. When Monique introduced herself modestly as “just a publicist,” Debra Lee immediately corrected her, affirming, “You are not just anything—you are a publicist, and you belong here.” That exchange reinforced the importance of owning one’s title, value, and expertise with confidence, and it continues to serve as a reminder to show up fully in every room with clarity, pride, and self-assurance in her professional identity.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Choose your environment over a title. Early in your career, it can be tempting to focus on job titles or prestige, but the environment you work in will have a far greater impact on your long-term growth, wellbeing, and success. A supportive leader, a healthy organizational culture, and a positive work environment will shape not only your professional development but also your mental and physical health. Prioritize spaces where you are valued, mentored, and able to grow because the right environment will elevate your potential far beyond any title alone.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in her field is the ongoing reduction in funding for educational programs, particularly those that support access, equity, and diversity initiatives. These cuts place additional pressure on institutions and leaders to sustain meaningful student support services while maintaining quality outcomes in increasingly resource-constrained environments. At the same time, this landscape presents an important opportunity to develop innovative funding strategies and cross-sector partnerships that help preserve and strengthen these programs. By leveraging collaboration between educational institutions, private organizations, and community stakeholders, there is potential to create more sustainable pathways that ensure students continue to receive the resources, access, and support they need to succeed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My values in both my work and personal life are rooted in surrounding myself with good, kind human beings who lead with integrity, accountability, respect, humility, and a strong sense of stewardship. I value working with people who operate with a genuine heart, demonstrate consistency between their words and actions, and take responsibility for their impact on others. These principles guide how I build relationships, make decisions, and contribute to both professional environments and the communities I serve.
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