Martha Harrell

By Steve Post | February 6, 1990

Martha Harrell is a seasoned leader in Learning and Development. She currently serves as senior director within the Growth and Performance organization at a leading global pharmaceutical company. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Martha is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential through continuous learning and personal development. She manages a team of coaches and Learning and Development professionals and oversees impactful programs designed to elevate the technical and leadership skills of scientists and product development leaders.

Martha holds a B.S. in Psychology and a Master’s in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for creating environments where people can thrive, bringing a strategic vision and a people-focused, thoughtful approach to her work. Martha’s approach is rooted in the belief that organizational evolution starts with individual growth, and she is committed to fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and self-actualization.

Beyond the office, Martha is a native San Franciscan who spent much of her youth living in the Southwest, between Texas and New Mexico. Now settled in Oakland, she enjoys life’s simple and rich pleasures—whether it’s sharing great wine and delicious food with family and friends or traveling to explore new cultures. At home, she treasures quiet evenings with her family—her loving husband, De’Eric Smith, her beautiful daughter, Tiffany, and her Goddaughter, Maiya. The wisdom of Maya Angelou guides Martha’s personal and professional life: ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’