Creating Opportunity Through Connection

At Smoothstack, progress starts with conversation. Before programs launch and before partnerships take shape, someone has to listen, ask the right questions, and create space for real dialogue. That is where Maya Monk comes in.

Maya plays a key role at the very beginning of the relationship-building process. Her work centers on connecting with organizations, understanding their challenges, and introducing a different way to think about talent. It is not about pitching. It is about starting the right conversations.

A Journalist’s Foundation

Maya’s path to Smoothstack began in journalism. After earning a degree in the field, she worked as a TV producer, coordinating live broadcasts and communicating daily with police departments and emergency responders. The environment was fast paced and often high pressure, requiring clarity, composure, and the ability to ask thoughtful questions, sometimes in difficult moments.

That experience still shapes how she works today.

“Journalism taught me how to listen, how to stay calm, and how to communicate clearly when people are guarded,” Maya shared. “Those skills translate everywhere.”

The role also demanded strong organization and coordination. Maya was responsible for bringing many moving pieces together so everything landed smoothly. Those habits continue to serve her in her work at Smoothstack.

The Power of Conversation

In her role, Maya focuses on opening conversations with leaders across industries who are navigating evolving workforce needs. Many of those conversations begin with exploration rather than certainty. Her approach is simple. Listen first.

“People are intentional with their time,” she said. “So it is about tone, timing, and creating a conversation that feels valuable.”

Maya often speaks with leaders thinking through highly specialized needs, particularly as demand grows for skills in areas like AI and machine learning. By centering discussions on real challenges, she helps organizations see how Smoothstack’s approach, training talent around specific real-world requirements, can reduce friction rather than add complexity.

Once a conversation moves forward, Maya stays closely connected. She collaborates with teammates, follows progress, and supports relationships as they develop.

“I care about seeing things through,” she said. “Once a connection is made, I want it to succeed.”

A Natural Connector

At its core, Maya’s work is about creating opportunity through connection. She speaks with organizations that are trying to solve real talent needs and helps link those needs to people who are ready to grow into them.

On one side are teams looking for individuals who can step into demanding roles and contribute in meaningful ways. On the other are people who may not have followed a traditional path, but who have the capability, discipline, and potential to succeed when given the right training and support. Maya sits between those two realities.

“I like being the bridge,” she said. “Making introductions, opening doors, and helping the right people find the right opportunity.”