Dawn Smyth
About Dawn Smyth
Dawn Smyth is the Associate Vice President and Head of International Youth Development at the NBA, with extensive experience in coaching and educational roles in basketball.
Current Role at the National Basketball Association
Dawn Smyth is the Associate Vice President and Head of International Youth Development at the National Basketball Association (NBA). Starting in 2024, she oversees the international youth development initiatives aimed at nurturing young basketball talent across the globe. This position leverages her extensive experience in coaching and development to influence youth basketball programs on a global scale.
Previous Experience at the NBA
Before becoming the Associate Vice President, Dawn Smyth served as the International Youth Development Team Leader at the NBA from 2019 to 2024. During this five-year tenure in a hybrid role, she played a pivotal role in developing and implementing strategies to enhance youth participation in basketball internationally. Her efforts were focused on aligning the NBA's goals with grassroots initiatives around the world.
Roles at Canada Basketball
Dawn Smyth's contributions to Canada Basketball include her role as Director of Domestic Development from 2017 to 2019, where she was based in Toronto, Ontario. Before this, she was the Manager of Coaching Development and Education from 2012 to 2019, also in Toronto. In these capacities, she was instrumental in distributing technical information from national basketball programs and international leaders to Canadian coaches, fostering the development of the sport domestically.
Educational Background
Dawn Smyth's educational journey is marked by several distinguished qualifications. She earned a Graduate Certificate in International Coaching Apprenticeship from the University of Delaware in 2019. She also holds a FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate, obtained from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, she has a MaSMaCom in Sports Marketing and Communication from Università Ca' Foscari Venezia (2011-2012), an M. Ed in Education and Coaching Studies from the University of Victoria (2005-2006), and a B. Sc in Kinesiology from the University of Ottawa (2000-2004).
Smyth Coaching & Consulting
Since 2014, Dawn Smyth has been the owner of Smyth Coaching & Consulting, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The company provides specialized coaching and consulting services, drawing on her extensive background in basketball coaching and development. This venture allows her to leverage her extensive expertise to support the growth and development of coaches and athletes.