SOIS National Council - Beth Singer and Howard Smith

Howard is a dynamic, creative, and experienced leader with a history of success in creating and implementing strategically targeted communications campaigns for a wide range of clients. He is a 2003 graduate of Harvard Business School’s “Business Perspective for Design Leaders” program, and studied under legendary designer Milton Glaser at the School of Visual Arts in New York. He holds a BFA from Penn State University. Howard is skilled at managing a wide variety of responsibilities, including strategic communications planning, creative direction, web design, and sub-contractor oversight. He is at his best, though, when helping clients achieve business goals through seamlessly integrated strategy with messaging via design, digital media, and environmental graphics. Howard is a Past-President of the Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington and an active member of the American Institute of Graphics Arts (AIGA). He served on the national board of Council of Communications Management (CCM), an organization entirely comprised of senior communication professionals.

Beth Singer, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, and a student at Hebrew University, founded Beth Singer Design in 1981 on her twin passions for great design and giving back to the community. Since then, the work of the firm has raised millions of dollars, changed minds, and inspired people to act on their ideals for the greater good. The firm works closely with advocacy groups, government, health and educational institutions, and foundations to achieve their goals through design solutions. Some of the long-term clients with whom Ms. Singer has worked on marketing, branding, information and fund-raising campaigns include CBS, ABC, the American Red Cross, Tel Aviv University, Johns Hopkins University, U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, the Gates Foundation, and United Way. Ms. Singer and her work have been featured in leading design journals including Graphis, Communications Arts, Print, Graphic Design: USA, HOW, and Step. Beth was honored with the prestigious American Institute of Graphic Arts DC Fellow Award, which recognizes designers who have made a significant contribution to raising the standards of excellence in design practice and conduct. She served on the national board of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), where she chaired four committees during her tenure— sponsorship, finance, development and a nation-wide volunteer education project called the “Design Explorers.”