Deborah Smith

Deb Smith serves as Chief Human Resources Officer leading the Office of Human Resources and overseeing workforce strategy and organizational transformation across Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Talent Management, Workday Technology, Employee Experience, Performance Management, and Employee Relations, Policy, and Compliance. In this role, she supports the PCAOB’s goal of strengthening organizational effectiveness and stewardship to advance our investor protection mission.

Before becoming Acting CHRO in May 2026, she served as Acting Deputy Director, HR Delivery, collaborating with senior leaders to align strategic human capital priorities with HR operations and execution with a focus on continuous innovation. When she joined the PCAOB in 2022, she successfully led efforts to deliver strategic programs to attract and retain top talent and enhance our talent brand.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Smith held senior leadership roles in global professional services organizations, including accounting and consulting firms, with responsibilities spanning HR and talent management, growth strategy, organizational transformation, leadership development, and change enablement.

She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Shippensburg University and an executive leadership certificate from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.