Teri Smiley, IOM
- President,, Walton County Chamber of Commerce
- Owner, Starfish Partnerships, LLC
With more than 30 years of experience leading the Walton County Chamber of Commerce in Georgia, Teri Smiley brings unmatched energy, insight, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong chambers, boards, and business communities. Under her leadership, Walton County's chamber membership more than tripled, its budget grew significantly, the chamber purchased its own building and new programs—including Leadership Walton, Youth Leadership, Reality Check, and the Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament—were created and expanded to meet the needs of a growing community.
Teri has served as Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and as Chair of U.S. Chamber Institute, Southeast Site. She is a Georgia Certified Chamber Executive, and she was recognized as the Executive of the Year from GACCE in 2015.
In 2021, Teri launched Starfish Partnerships, where she now works with chambers, nonprofits, businesses, and leadership teams to help them find clarity, strengthen relationships, and build strategies that actually work. She's known for her down-to-earth delivery, contagious positivity, and the ability to turn even the most complex challenges into approachable, engaging steps forward. Whether she’s facilitating a board retreat, training new chamber execs, or helping a team work better together through CliftonStrengths, Teri brings both structure and heart to every session.
As she transitions from her full-time chamber role—starting part-time in 2026 and officially retiring in June 2028—Teri is expanding her work through Starfish Partnerships. Her mission is to help others find their purpose, lead with confidence and connection, and guide organizations toward a future where they can truly thrive.
Teri is a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, a John Maxwell Team member, and a passionate believer that one person can make a difference—and that every ripple matters.
