about longtable
Better conversations.
Clearer direction.
Meaningful progress.
longtable helps mission-driven organizations, executives, boards, and community partners set priorities, align people, and work through consequential decisions.
Every engagement is led by founder Derek Smith. You work directly with him from discovery through the final recommendations, with a scope built around the decision or challenge in front of you.
Meet the Founder
Derek Smith
founder & principal | longtable
As CEO of the Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, he works with executives, governing boards, and community leaders across Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.
He founded longtable to bring his executive perspective and facilitation experience to mission-driven organizations facing consequential decisions.
experience grounded in practice
Derek brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience to strategy, facilitation, and organizational development.
Founder Derek Smith has personally led more than 75 organizational engagements across the Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and conducted more than 30 strategic planning processes, including Real-Time Strategic Planning (RTSP). His work spans organizational strategy, governance, executive transitions, leadership development, and community collaboration.
A longtime YMCA of the USA trainer and faculty member, Derek brings formal preparation and practical experience in team leadership, program development, adult learning, and organizational effectiveness.
His credentials include:
- Y-USA Trainer Skills
- Leading Successful Teams — trainer and faculty certifications
- Organizational Leader certification
- Leadership Strategies’ Secrets to Facilitating Strategy certification
This combination of executive leadership, specialized training, and hands-on facilitation experience shapes an approach that is both collaborative and results-oriented.
Our Philosophy
The work is grounded in a simple belief: better outcomes emerge when the right voices are heard, difficult questions are explored, and people have the clarity and ownership to move forward.
make room for every voice. Meaningful participation creates stronger ideas, deeper ownership, and better decisions.
challenge the comfortable. Progress requires curiosity, thoughtful questions, and a willingness to examine assumptions.
find clarity in complexity. Good strategy makes difficult choices understandable and actionable.
turn conversation into commitment. A successful meeting is measured by what happens next.
Why the Name?
A long table is a place where people gather. Different experiences. Different perspectives. Different ideas. A shared space to listen, challenge, and build something together.
That is the spirit behind longtable—and the meaning of bringing more people to the table.
pull up a chair. let’s get to work.
Let’s start a conversation.
Tell us what your organization is working through and what you hope to accomplish. We’ll explore how longtable can help.