MEET THE TEAM
Human Led. Technology Powered. Community Driven.
TRUST STEAM+ pairs experienced, community-minded leadership with purpose-built AI tools. People keep authority over relationships, decisions, and accountability — while technology helps our nonprofit serve more students, families, and neighbors.
FOUNDER & LEADERSHIP
The human behind TRUST
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Eric Smith
Eric Smith is the Founder and CEO of TRUST and a seasoned technology executive, entrepreneur, and community leader with more than 20 years of experience leading complex technology programs and enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives. Throughout his career, he has managed multimillion-dollar programs and mission-critical computing environments supporting federal, defense, healthcare, and public-sector organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, Internal Revenue Service, Defense Information Systems Agency, and U.S. Cyber Command.
Eric has led multidisciplinary teams across systems administration, cybersecurity, network engineering, database management, software development, infrastructure operations, and technical support. His accomplishments include helping scale a technology company into a nationally recognized federal contractor, guiding major system deployments and migrations, strengthening cybersecurity and operational processes, and delivering complex initiatives on time and within budget. He holds a degree in Computer Technology from Bowie State University and industry certifications in information technology, networking, and cybersecurity.
A lifelong entrepreneur and community advocate, Eric applies that same strategic vision to TRUST STEAM+. Through youth development, digital-literacy programming, workforce initiatives, and the CONNECT+ Community Helpdesk, he has helped create opportunities for more than 200 young people and serve more than 500 community residents. His work bridges technology, business, and community empowerment — using innovation to strengthen organizations, expand access, and create pathways for the next generation.
THE AI OPERATING LAYER
Our AI Workforce
Clearly labeled AI agents that help our small team research, organize, prepare, and report — so we can serve more students, families, and community members. Each has a defined purpose and a named human owner, and people stay responsible for relationships, decisions, and accountability.
AMARA
Adaptive Mission Analysis & Resource Agent
Grants & Partnerships Agent
Grant, funding, partnership, and community-need research.
Human owner: Executive leadership
Surfaces funding opportunities and reduces research time.
MILES
Mission Impact, Learning & Engagement Support
Grant Writing Agent
Grant analysis, requirement checklists, reusable content, and first-draft application support.
Human owner: Programs leadership
Faster applications and greater grant capacity.
SORA
Student Outcomes & Resource Automation
Program Delivery Agent
Program documentation, curriculum prep, session support, and progress updates.
Human owner: Program leadership
More program capacity per staff member and volunteer.
ELI
Engagement & Learner Insights
Community Engagement Agent
Participant history, meeting notes, commitments, and approved follow-up tracking.
Human owner: Community engagement
Stronger continuity and responsiveness to families.
MAYA
Mission Administration & Yield Automation
Finance & Operations Agent
Internal reporting, impact tracking, workflow coordination, and administrative preparation.
Human owner: Finance / operations
Lower administrative burden and clearer impact visibility.
NOVA
Networked Organizational Virtual Archive
Knowledge Agent
Organizes approved methods, templates, program outcomes, and institutional knowledge.
Human owner: Operations / program leadership
Makes expertise reusable and reduces duplicated work.
MISSION IMPACT
How we do more for the community
People lead. Technology multiplies their capacity. Here is where that shows up for the people we serve.
More reach
We serve more students and residents without adding overhead.
Faster response
Shorter turnaround for families, partners, and volunteers through automated research and reporting.
Every dollar further
Automating repetitive work lets more of each donation reach programs, not overhead.
Consistency
Reusable methods and templates create a more consistent experience for participants.
Human connection
Our team spends more time with students, families, and the community.
HUMAN GOVERNED
Responsible AI, accountable to our community
Clear governance protects the people we serve and honors our responsibility as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — especially when we handle student, family, donor, or other sensitive information.
Every agent has a named human owner.
Least-privilege access: agents receive only the systems and information required for their role.
Student, family, and donor information is governed by privacy, security, and data-handling requirements.
Consequential financial, legal, personnel, and public commitments remain human-authorized.
AI-generated work used in programs or communications is subject to quality controls appropriate to the risk.
Agent actions and material outputs are traceable where practical.
Permissions, workflows, and performance are periodically reviewed.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Leadership announcements coming soon
Help shape what comes next.
We’re inviting thoughtful, committed leaders to express interest in serving on the TRUST STEAM+ Board of Directors. Bring your experience, perspective, and relationships to help expand opportunity through technology, education, and community empowerment. We welcome interest from individuals with backgrounds in education, technology, finance, fundraising, governance, strategy, and community leadership.
Apply to serve
Board Service Application
Submitting an application expresses interest in board service and does not guarantee appointment.