Scott Nolan Smith
Global Strategic Communications Professional
About Me
Extensive experience transforming the way organizations reach and interact with audiences through a focus on multi-layer strategies, partnership development, and global public relations expertise.
My Bio
Communicator | Traveler | Coffee Addict | Techie | Internationalist | Beach Enthusiast | Soccer Fan
With more than 15 years of experience, I’ve served in a range of integrated, traditional, and digital communications roles, transforming the way organizations reach and interact with their audiences.
Currently, I am Senior Director, Communications at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). I have worked in agency and in-house settings, supporting governments, NGOs, corporations, and philanthropies. My work has focused on supporting mostly international organizations, such as the governments of Australia, France, the UK, and Qatar, the Corporate Council on Africa, UN Population Fund, Pacific Advancement for Diplomatic Leadership Program (PADL), Institute of International Education, Smithsonian Institution, and the UN Foundation, among others.
I co-founded the Digital Diplomacy Coalition, a volunteer-driven community that brings together the tech and foreign affairs sectors. I was also a key player in the launch and development of Portland’s “Soft Power 30” – an annual report measuring the potential influence of nations. An experienced speaker, I have spoken at several conferences and international forums, including the Hiroshima Business Conference for World Peace, UN Social Media Day, Social Media Strategies Summit, and Campus Party Quito. I have also led many internal training sessions for organizations and delivered lectures at leading universities.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hawaii Pacific University and Master of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University. Born in Germany, spent my childhood in Italy, and have called Washington State and Hawaii home. Today, I live in the Washington, DC area.
Resume/CV
Experience
Senior Director, Communications, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)
Washington, DC, USA — March 2024 - Present
Senior Director, International Affairs — October 2022 - March 2024
Director - International Affairs — September 2021 - September 2022
Global Gateway Advisors
Washington, DC / New York City, USA
Co-Founder & Board Member, Digital Diplomacy Coalition (Volunteer)
Washington, DC, USA — May 2012 - Present
Consultant, Freelance
Washington, DC, USA — October 2019 - September 2021
Vice President, Clyde Group
Washington, DC, USA — January 2018 - September 2019
Associate Director, Portland
Washington, DC, USA — January 2015 - November 2017
Guest Instructor, The George Washington University
Washington, DC, USA — January 2014 - January 2016
Head of Digital, British Embassy in Washington
Washington, DC, USA — June 2011 - December 2014
Social Media Manager, RT – Washington Bureau
Washington, DC, USA — May 2010 - June 2011
Consultant (short-term contract), World Affairs Journal
Washington, DC, USA — January 2010 - May 2010
Frontpage Editor & Producer, Politics.com (former version)
Alexandria, VA, USA — December 2008 - September 2009
Program Associate, Mercatus Center
Arlington, VA, USA — December 2007 - November 2008
Education
Master of Arts in Diplomacy
Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, Hawaii
Select Speaking Engagements
NESA Center at National Defense University
Speaker: “Engaging Through Social Media"
October 2019 and October 2020, Washington, DC
AJC 17th Annual Young Diplomats Reception
Moderator: “The Global Rise of Digital Diplomacy”
May 2017, Washington, DC
Hiroshima World Business Conference for World Peace
Panelist: “Tools of Peace Communications”
October 2016, Hiroshima, Japan
Sister Cities International Conference
Speaker: “Managing an important asset: City brand and reputation”
July 2016, Washington, DC
American Society of International Law (ASIL) Annual Meeting
Panelist: “International Law & Social Media”
April 2015, Washington, DC
UN Social Media Day
Moderator: “Tweeting from the Top: Ambassadors and Digital Diplomacy”
January 2015, New York City
Social Media Strategies Summit
Speaker: “Engaging the Community: A Multi-Platform Strategy”
April 2014, Chicago
Internet Advocacy Roundtable
Panelist: “Digital Opportunities at Embassies”
November 2013, Washington, DC
Campus Party Quito
Speaker: “Digital Diplomacy” and Workshop Leader: “Tools of the Digital Diplomat”
September 2013, Quito, Ecuador
Social Media Week
Speaker: eDiplomacy Lunch and the Digital Diplomacy Open House
February 2013, Washington, DC & New York City
Digital Diplomacy Coalition
Panelist: “Digital Diplomacy in Embassies”
November 2012, Washington, DC
Politics Online Conference
Speaker: Introducing Politics.com
April 2009, Washington, DC
Projects & Publications
The People of the EU Have Spoken. What Did They Say? — Clyde Group
SOTU 2019: A look at the words used by Trump and Abrams — Clyde Group
NAFTA vs USMCA: What’s in a name — Clyde Group
A Peak Inside Day-to-Day Diplomacy — Clyde Group
The Soft Power 30 — Portland
Contributor:
- 2017 Report (PDF)
- 2016 Report (PDF)
- 2015 Report (PDF)
Communicating Global Giving — Portland
- Article: Next generation philanthropy in the US (PDF)
How Africa Tweets 2016 — Portland
Digital Diplomacy Bootcamp — Bluedot Strategies
Connect with Me
Write me
scott@digidiplomats.com