Brett Smith grew up in Flint, Michigan, a community shaped by strong labor traditions and a deep belief in collective action. Before becoming an educator, Brett worked in finance at General Motors, where he developed experience in financial management and organizational leadership.

After entering the field of education, Brett spent 17 years in the classroom before moving into union leadership. He has served for 9 years as a state officer in the Michigan Education Association, including 6 years as Secretary-Treasurer and currently as Vice President.

Throughout his career, Brett has focused on strengthening the union while ensuring responsible stewardship of member resources.