chief executive officer
Kristene (K.N.) Smith is an award-winning author noted for–Discovery of the Five Senses–a mystery-fantasy-adventure novel in her “Urban Boys” series called, “Brilliantly crafted and written!” and “A wonderful and deeply written emotional adventure.” by reviewers. She is an advocate of youth development, family literacy, and arts and enrichment programs throughout the world. Her creative, lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist, turn, and grind through elements of action-adventure and urban fantasy in exciting, edge-of-your-seat narratives. Her novel was awarded “Best of” in the category “Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards at the 10th Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair. She is also a Readers' Favorite “Gold Medal” honoree for “Young Adult - Mystery”, and the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards “1st Place Honoree” for “New Author: Fiction” and “Science Fiction/Fantasy”. Kristene has over twenty years’ experience in writing, communications, brand strategy, and creative design as an award-winning communications consultant. She is a senior writer, creative director, and strategist behind campaigns in mental health and wellness, education, development, and entertainment for public and private institutions. She is the driving force behind her campaigns’ unique marketing thrusts, mastery of communications, creative direction, and diversity strategies, and is recognized for her understanding of general and multi-ethnic audiences.
Kristene holds a degree in Family and Consumer Science and connects with audiences through magazine, newspaper, television, and new media appearances including the Fox, ABC, and UPN networks, Sacramento Magazine, and Redbook Magazine, among others. She has a global readership from the United States to the United Kingdom, Canada, Bulgaria, India, Germany, and the Philippines, among other countries.
Mental Health California™ is her signature community nonprofit venture, one that is personal considering she is a family member with lived experience. Kristene is the creator and director of Brother Be Well, producer of the Champions of Mental Health Awards Dinner, and leads impactful behavioral health programs for diverse, underserved communities.
Kristene (K.N.) Smith at Headstream Springboard Lab, August 8th & 9th, 2019, at Artists for Humanity, Boston, MA. Headstream featured 35 diverse leaders from across the country, representing expertise in mental health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, new and emerging technology, policy, and youth. The procured convening involved ideation activities to develop youth mental-wellness through innovation within social spaces. Kristene joined the inclusion panel and provided guiding research on the mental health of youth of color, and the mental wellness and social media habits of girls. Student creatives from Artists for Humanity joined the teams, bringing artistic touches to all projects. Their original artwork is featured below.
