In this conversation, Brett Smith, founder of the Center for LIFE at Miami University, sits down with YOKE Leaders to share what pushed him toward fractional leadership and what happened when he found the right fit. Brett built a program from two people into an organization that has raised over $10 million, reached more than a thousand scholars worldwide, and now has a full team executing on a vision that once felt unreachable. He’s candid about what made it work and what he’d tell other founders who are still trying to do everything themselves.
The conversation covers how Brett and his fractional Co-Builder started working together, how trust was built over time, how systems and structure were introduced without slowing the mission down, and how the model allowed Brett to focus on fundraising while the operational and strategic work moved forward in parallel.
If you’re a founder who knows where you want to go but can’t figure out how to get there with the team and resources you have right now, this one is worth 20 minutes of your time.