Sarah
Smith
Sarah Smith is the founder and owner of 8th Fire Consulting. She is an enrolled member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and offers over 25 years of professional experience.
Sarah earned her Master of Arts in Tribal Administration & Governance from the University of Minnesota Duluth and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Physics from Michigan Technological University, with a current MI Standard Teaching Certificate for grades 6-12. She taught mathematics for 8 years prior to working in Tribal government.
With over 18 years of leading a large Tribal government organization, Sarah is an experienced Tribal Administrator that has held the titles of CEO, Assistant CEO, Grant Specialist, and Daycare Director. She has designed and established progressive budgetary processes, ensured departmental accountability and federal compliance, and consistently managed budgets.
She oversaw the submission and administration of grants and contracts to keep a steady flow of federal, state, local, and private funding for the operation of the Tribal government organization. She has managed projects related to building renovations, new construction, infrastructure, trail development, and renewable energy. She also led the Tribal community in constitutional reform in three areas.