Arabella Jane Smith, Global Communications Executive

Global Communications Executive

Where Storytelling Meets Strategy, Driving Impact for Billion-Dollar Brands

I'm Arabella Smith, a global communications executive known for building reputation, leading transformation, and advising C-suite leaders across billion-dollar consumer-facing organizations in CPG and Healthcare. I'm at my best at the intersection of business strategy and stakeholder influence, using storytelling as a vehicle to drive measurable impact on brand trust and business growth.

Years at Mars

Years at Starbucks

National Non-Profit

$1–4B

Consumer-Facing Organizations

20+

Countries

70K

Employees

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Expertise

Core Capabilities

Corporate Affairs Strategy

Built corporate affairs functions from inception at BluePearl and VCA, owning strategy, team development, and capability building. Trusted advisor to global presidents and C-suite leaders, shaping enterprise reputation and market positioning across $1B–$4B+ organizations.

Crisis & Issues Management

Led crisis communications and enterprise risk mitigation across complex, multi-stakeholder environments, including a global veterinary network spanning 20+ countries and 3,000 clinics. Established governance frameworks and rapid-response capabilities at scale.

Change & Transformation Communications

Directed enterprise change communications across seven concurrent global transformation programs at Mars, one of the world's largest privately held companies. PROSCI® Certified Change Practitioner with deep expertise in leading communications through complex organizational change.

Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Communications

Built internal communications functions from the ground up at VCA Animal Hospitals, engaging 30,000 employees across 1,000+ locations. Led distributed teams of regional communications directors, advising senior leadership on messaging, employee engagement, and organizational change.

External Communications

Proven track record of driving brand awareness, reputation, and growth for iconic global brands through integrated Paid, Earned, Shared, and Owned (PESO) strategies. Led top tier campaigns that generated billions of media impressions, increased share of voice and fueled cultural conversation across earned media, social influence, digital content, and strategic partnerships including Super Bowl and NASCAR campaigns with $1M+ budgets.

Non-Profit Leadership

Co-founded and serves as President & Board Chair of BluePearl Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched by BluePearl Pet Hospital to make emergency and specialty veterinary care accessible for all pets. Provides financial assistance for income-qualified families and supports animal welfare organizations through community grants and direct veterinary services.

Belle is one of the most strategic, thoughtful, and composed leaders I've had the opportunity to work with. Her greatest strength lies in bringing stakeholders together to identify opportunities, execute on priorities, and communicate effectively. She's not only an exceptional purpose-driven leader but also an exceptional human. The kind of individual any company would benefit from having on their senior team.

Kim Van Syoc, Executive Director, BluePearl Cares

Experience

Career History

6 mo

Global Vice President External Communications

Mars Veterinary Health

2 yrs

Vice President Corporate Affairs

BluePearl Pet Hospitals

2 yrs

Senior Director, Strategic Business Communications

VCA Animal Hospitals

2 yrs

Director, Change & Transformation Communications

Mars Incorporated

3 yrs

Brand Public Relations Senior Manager

Mars Wrigley North America

2 yrs

Global Corporate Affairs Manager

Mars Retail

3 yrs

Marketing Manager

M&M's World Stores

5 yrs

Retail Communications Manager

Starbucks

Recommendations

What Others Say

"Belle is one of the most strategic communications leaders I've worked with. She has an exceptional ability to translate complex business objectives into compelling narratives that resonate with every audience, from frontline Associates to the boardroom."

Lara McCauley

Global VP Strategic Business Communications, Mars Incorporated

"Belle is a rare talent who combines creative instinct with rigorous strategic thinking, and high emotional intelligence. She brought clarity and calm to some of our most complex change programs, including value creation initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and fleet closures, and her ability to build trust across stakeholders is truly exceptional."

Da Chang

Former Chief Operating Officer, BluePearl Pet Hospitals

"Belle's strategic leadership on our corporate affairs function was transformational. She built our internal communications capability from the ground up, building a culture of engagement, established our crisis protocols, and elevated our reputation in ways that had a measurable impact on the business."

Todd Lavender, DVM

President, VCA Animal Hospitals

Core Capabilities

Corporate Affairs Strategy

Crisis & Issues Management

Change & Transformation Communications

Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Communications

External Communications

Non-Profit Leadership

Media Impact

Career History

What Others Say

Certifications & Leadership Training

Work Together