Portrait of a smiling African American woman with dark hair in loose waves, wearing a mustard yellow blouse with a gathered neckline and gold hoop earrings, against a plain gray background.

Kai A. Smith, SHRM-CP, SHRM-AI+HI, SPCC-IACC
CEO & Founder, Live In Purpose Career Coaching
Be Passionate. Be Purposeful. Be Positive.™

Kai A. Smith is the CEO and Founder of Live In Purpose Career Coaching, where she helps women in entertainment, marketing, and communications—whether just starting out, navigating a transition, or stepping into leadership—own what’s next in their careers.


Her mission is simple yet powerful: to guide women in aligning their passions, purpose, and positivity so they can navigate career transitions with confidence and clarity. Through her signature coaching philosophy—Live In Purpose: Be Passionate. Be Purposeful. Be Positive.™—Kai empowers clients to uncover their strengths, amplify their voice, and take intentional steps toward meaningful careers.
From Media to Meaning
Kai’s professional journey began in broadcast media, where she cultivated her skills in storytelling, production, creative operations, and marketing. From her early days in Washington, D.C. local news to her tenure as Director of Creative & Marketing Operations at BET Media Group (Paramount), Kai led award-winning campaigns and helped bring some of the industry’s most iconic moments to life—including the Academy Awards.


Her experiences navigating the dynamic, high-pressure world of media inspired her to help other women thrive in fast-paced creative industries—combining strategy, storytelling, and self-confidence to shape fulfilling careers.
Beyond the Coaching Chair
In addition to her work with Live In Purpose, Kai serves as Chief of Staff at Six Nineteen Spirits, LLC, a pioneering minority- and woman-owned ready-to-drink cocktail brand. She leads strategic initiatives, aligns business goals with team performance, and supports growth in a competitive, evolving market.


Kai is also the Founder of The BDH Agency, LLC, a boutique production, media strategy, and brand management consultancy where she has created impactful campaigns for organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency and guided small businesses in defining their brand presence and storytelling voice.
Purpose-Driven Leadership
A bridge between creative innovation and people strategy, Kai brings a rare blend of media expertise, HR acumen, and leadership development to everything she does. She has designed and led initiatives to enhance retention, coached executives on inclusive culture-building, and applied insights to strengthen organizational performance and employee engagement.

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Testimonials

  • “Thanks to Kai’s coaching, I gained focus, purpose, and the confidence to pursue and land opportunities I once doubted were possible. I highly recommend Kai to anyone pursuing real career growth.”

    Kevin S.
    Client

  • “After being laid off, I felt uncertain navigating today’s job market. Working with Kai changed everything. Her coaching gave me clarity, confidence, and the practical tools I needed to re-enter the workforce. I felt genuinely cared for throughout the process and am deeply grateful for her guidance.”

    Tenia H.
    Client

  • “Kai has been instrumental in my professional growth. She helped me clearly articulate my accomplishments and refine my resume and LinkedIn profile, leading to multiple opportunities. Her commitment to my success has been invaluable.”

    Danielle F.
    Client