Title: Owner and President
Company: North Coast Education Services
Location: Solon, Ohio, United States
Linnea Joy Smith, Owner and President at North Coast Education Services, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Education Services.
Ms. Smith has established a commendable career marked by leadership, innovation and a commitment to educational advancement. As the owner and president of North Coast Education Services (NCES) in Solon, Ohio, since 2022, she has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to policy reform and curriculum development. Recognized as more than just a tutoring service, NCES serves as a bridge between students, schools and the community by providing information sessions, resource fairs, workshops and more, and by sharing its findings with school districts, libraries, nonprofits, local businesses, and other partners who are equally invested in student opportunity.
Affiliated with NCES for over 15 years, Ms. Smith previously served as the organization’s vice president from 2020 to 2022 before taking ownership. In this capacity, she contributed to the organization’s strategic direction and operational growth, further solidifying her reputation as a leader in the education sector. Ms. Smith’s earlier experience with NCES included serving as the executive vice president between 2009 and 2014, during which she oversaw program development and organizational management.
Ms. Smith’s professional journey also encompassed significant experience outside the education sector. From 2004 to 2020, she served as the executive assistant at Nederlander Company in New York City, where she handled high-level administrative functions and supported executive leadership in the Broadway producer’s office. Ms. Smith also briefly worked as a business assistant at Iris Wire in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 2003.
Among other diverse roles, Ms. Smith gained foundational experience in research and marketing as a research specialist at the Creative Education Institute in Solon in 1999. Her role involved contacting nontraditional schools and conducting in-depth interviews with administrators. Ms. Smith then spent time as a mystery shopper for another company, contracted by AAA to mystery shop all departments to maintain quality control, before serving as a recruitment manager, screening and interviewing applicants and, among other responsibilities, organizing recruitment events, between 2000 and 2003.
Ms. Smith’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in technical theater with minors in psychology and English from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. This multidisciplinary education has provided her with a unique perspective and skill set, enabling her to approach challenges with creativity and analytical rigor.
Active outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Smith is a member of the Red Key Society at Hawken School in Northeast Ohio, reflecting her ongoing engagement and commitment to professional development.
Among Ms. Smith’s most notable career achievements was the successful implementation of a policy reform initiative, with her third such effort advancing through the legislative process. She also played an instrumental role in supporting her mother in bringing a reading curriculum to its latest form, underscoring her commitment to educational excellence.
In recognition of her leadership and impact, Ms. Smith was honored as one of the Top 10 Admired Leaders by Pinnacle in 2024. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she credits much of her success to her upbringing, noting that her family’s emphasis on education during her childhood laid the foundation for her achievements. Ms. Smith also credits her adaptability throughout her career, which has played a key role in her ability to excel.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Ms. Smith: