Adam Schmidt comes to the field of professional coaching and development with more than fifteen years of leadership and consulting experience. Throughout his career, people development has been a passion for Adam. He has an exceptional ability to guide others to overcome obstacles – both real and perceived. His capability to translate the diverse work and personal experiences of his clients into tangible resources for personal and professional growth allows him to succeed with individuals from varied backgrounds and professions. 

Adam is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC).  As a PCC, his coaching style is shaped by the fundamentals of ICF Professional Coaching - powerful questioning, authentic listening, accountability and being fully present for his clients.  He endeavors to successfully merge and leverage his professional coach training and professional, academic and personal experiences to effectively help people grow and optimize their full potential. Adam is fully committed to the ICF Code of Ethics, ensuring that clients experience coaching in a confidential, ethical and comfortable way.

Professionally, Adam was an Army officer with assignments in both the Middle East and European theaters for nearly 10 years. During that time, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during combat operations in Iraq.  More recently, Adam has served as a Senior Consultant in International Policy for both the United States and International Organizations.  In his role as Senior Consultant, Adam has a track record of helping professionals become more effective leaders, communicators and change agents within their organizations.  Adam is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Academically, Adam is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies.   At West Point, Adam learned and applied fundamental tenants of effective leadership such as  strategic thinking, goal setting and communication.  At Michigan, Adam complemented those leadership skills with a Master’s in Public Policy, gaining an understanding of the policies, politics and prose that are required to create meaningful change.  At Georgetown, Adam was professionally trained as a Leadership Coach through Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching Program. While there, Adam concentrated on a co-active approach to Leadership and Executive Coaching. 

Personally, Adam is a licensed private pilot, a certified SCUBA diver, and seasoned international traveler.  An avid outdoor enthusiast, Adam enjoys mountaineering (the namesake of Smart Summit Coaching) and has summited renowned peaks in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.  He is very active in his community as a Veteran Ambassador for Team RWB (a Veterans support organization) and as a Coach for Leadership Fairfax, an organization dedicated to training and developing leaders in the Northern Virginia Area.   He lives with his wife, Ashlee, in Falls Church, Virginia and their very spoiled Beagle, “Huck”.