Mary Olive Smith, Family Mentor & Advocate

Mary Olive Smith, an Emmy Award-winning producer and director, has dedicated her career to amplifying personal stories of hardship through powerful documentaries and advocacy videos. Leading Flying Pup Productions for 15 years, she has collaborated with global organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, and Children’s Specialized Hospital to spotlight issues such as disabilities, mental illness, and the lack of maternal healthcare, earning accolades including an Emmy for the feature-length documentary film, “A Walk to Beautiful.” She’s also the recipient of the Global Health Council’s Excellence in Media, the Overseas Press Club Award for Best International Affairs Documentary.  After filming in more than 25 countries, Mary Olive is now embarking on a career shift to direct advocacy. She draws on lived experience as a parent of a child with cerebral palsy, interacting and advocating with schools, social services, and medical systems alongside her filmmaking expertise.

With a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University, Mary excels in cinematic storytelling and crafting persuasive materials for nonprofits and policymakers. Her personal advocacy, through groups like Maplewood’s All-Access Committee, positions her to drive impact within the disability community.