Marshall-Smith
Marshall Smith
BIOGRAPHY

Marshall Smith is recognized as a national leader in the addiction recovery movement.

Marshall is currently Alberta’s Chief of Staff for Mental Health and Addiction, working with Minister Mike Ellis and Premier Jason Kenney to lead one of the most significant Mental Health and Addiction system transformations in the country.

Marshall has held senior executive positions in the addiction treatment field notably as the Director of Corporate Development and Community Relations for the Cedars at Cobble Hill Addiction Treatment Centre.  The Cedars is recognized across North America for excellence in addiction treatment and process disorders.

Prior to his career in addiction program management Marshall held several senior positions in the British Columbia Provincial Government most notably, Chief of Staff to the Minister responsible for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Bid, Municipal Affairs and Immigration and Multicultural services and served as Human Resource Planning Advisor to the Attorney General of British Columbia.  

In 2004 Marshall fought a crippling battle with addiction that brought him all the way to the streets of Vancouver.  

After a four year fight with addiction and homelessness Marshall rededicated his life and career to the field of recovery.   Since then, Marshall has developed several leading recovery programs in British Columbia and Alberta and lectures in programs on addiction recovery at UBC, SFU, UVIC, Royal Roads, Kwantlen University and Douglas College. 

Marshall is passionate about early intervention and improving standards of care for people with addiction disorders, their families and workplaces.  Marshall is sought out by the provincial and national media for expert commentary on emerging issues in the addiction recovery and workplace sectors.