Seattle Reign FC Legend: Tama Smith – Head of Women Living a Richer Life at Brighton Jones

The Legends Campaign, a partnership between Seattle Reign FC and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to Seattle Reign FC’s match against NJ/NY Gotham FC on September 16, the club recognized Tama Smith, Head of Women Living a Richer Life at Brighton Jones, a unique wealth management firm. 

 Smith’s work is centered around the wellbeing and financial empowerment of women. This one-of-a-kind initiative within Brighton Jones puts women at the forefront of owning their financial power and voice while building connection and belonging in community. 

“The work we do is really about financially empowering women. When you empower women, you empower the home by extension. You empower the neighborhood, the community, the country and the world,” said Smith. 

Her previous experience includes holding the CEO role at Saventure, a strategic advisory firm, and The Tyra Banks Company. She has also served as advisor and dealmaker to numerous celebrity family offices. Smith earned her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, studied international finance and multinational management at the London Business School and received a B.S. degree from the University of California, Berkeley. 

“My career journey definitely has not been linear. Formerly, I had this jet setting career. I was the former CEO of the Tyra Banks Company, was running a media company in New York and my life just changed my on a dime.” 

After going through a series of major life changes, Smith found her new normal at Brighton Jones. Initially hired as a consultant at the firm, she proposed a new initiative that focuses on financially empowering women, who are traditionally underserved in the financial services and wealth management industries. 

"The reason it's called Women Living a Richer Life is because our tagline at Brighton Jones is “Live a richer life” so when the CEO asked what I wanted to call the new program, I knew exactly what to say.” 

Every day looks different for Smith, as she has major roles in leading client engagement and business development. She works to stay on top of trends and leads within the wealth management sector.  

“It’s important to stay on the forefront of being thought leaders in the women in wealth management space and find new ways to engage our client community and build connections. Every day looks very different and that's what makes my role here so exciting and fun.” 

She continued, “My favorite part of the role is quite simply empowering our women clients and sharing financial well-being and empowerment messages to women. I’m just so excited about financially empowering women and financially connecting our women client community.” 

A mentor to many, Smith makes a positive impact on those around her each day and truly embodies what it means to be a legend. Her advice to young women pursuing a goal is four simple words. 

“Be brave, not perfect. As women, we're taught to be perfect. We are so focused on checking all the boxes and being perfect, we won’t always go for jobs we may not fit the description for. We second guess ourselves a lot. So, the advice that I give to the women that I mentor is just go for that job. Even if it’s a super stretch, go for it.” 

When asked what being honored as a Seattle Reign FC and Starbucks Legend meant to her, Smith expressed great joy and humility. 

“I feel immense pride. This is such an honor, and I am very much humbled, but my heart is just full of pride and joy.”