Smith + Howard Expands C-Suite Leadership to Accelerate Strategic Execution and Brand Evolution

ATLANTA (September 16, 2025) — Smith + Howard, a nationally recognized accounting and advisory firm, today announced two key leadership appointments that reflect the firm’s continued growth and commitment to operational excellence. Julie Barnes has been named Chief of Staff and Brielle Ferrante has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer.

In her new role as Chief of Staff, Barnes will work closely with the executive leadership team to drive strategic alignment, streamline cross-functional collaboration, and advance firmwide initiatives. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to the position and has played a critical role in scaling Smith + Howard from a 27-person firm to a private equity-backed organization of more than 500 professionals.

“Stepping into the Chief of Staff role allows me to continue contributing to the firm’s evolution while helping shape our future from a broader, enterprise-level perspective,” said Barnes. “I’m energized by the opportunity to deepen cross-functional alignment and support the execution of key strategic initiatives alongside a leadership team I deeply respect.”

Previously serving as Chief Marketing Officer, Barnes was instrumental in elevating the firm’s brand and enhancing its market presence—both domestically and internationally. Her background in marketing, operations, and executive leadership makes her uniquely equipped to support Smith + Howard’s long-term growth trajectory.

Succeeding Barnes, Brielle Ferrante joins Smith + Howard as Chief Marketing Officer, where she will lead the firm’s integrated marketing strategy across all parts of the Smith + Howard Family of Companies. She joined the firm through the acquisition of Fahrenheit Advisors, where she previously served as fractional CMO.

A former McKinsey consultant with a track record of building and leading marketing teams, Ferrante has also held senior roles at Verizon and a drone delivery and services start-up, DroneUp. She brings a unique combination of consulting, corporate, and entrepreneurial experience to her role.

“I’m thrilled to join Smith + Howard during such a dynamic period of growth,” said Ferrante. “With its strong values, clear strategic vision, and incredible group of professionals, I look forward to building on the strong foundation Julie established and scaling our marketing function to support the next chapter of growth.”

As CMO, Ferrante will oversee brand positioning, content development, digital marketing, sales enablement, campaign execution, and events. Her appointment underscores Smith + Howard’s commitment to investing in marketing as a key growth driver.

“Julie and Brielle bring a rare combination of strategic vision, operational rigor, and people-first leadership that makes them uniquely qualified to guide Smith + Howard through our next phase of growth,” said Marty Dauer, Chief Growth Officer, Smith + Howard. “Julie’s deep institutional knowledge and proven ability to drive alignment across teams make her an ideal Chief of Staff, while Brielle’s marketing acumen and innovative mindset will elevate our brand and accelerate our go-to-market strategy. We’re thrilled to have both leaders shaping the future of our firm.”

These leadership updates reflect the firm’s continued evolution from a traditional accounting and advisory firm into a multi-faceted professional services organization committed to delivering value across every client touchpoint.

About Smith + Howard:
Smith + Howard is a nationally recognized accounting and advisory firm serving clients across industries including construction, distribution, hospitality, manufacturing, nonprofit, real estate, technology, and transportation and logistics. Headquartered in Atlanta, the firm has seven offices, nearly 50 partners, and more than 600 employees. In November 2022, Smith + Howard became one of the first accounting firms to secure private equity funding from Broad Sky Partners. The firm provides a full suite of services, including audit, tax, international tax, transfer pricing, cyber risk compliance, R&D tax credits, SOC reporting, and more. Through its Family of Companies—which includes wealth management, sales and use tax, property tax, management consulting, human capital consulting, and executive search—Smith + Howard supports businesses at every stage of growth. Learn more at www.smith-howard.com.

Media Contact:
Lisa Hagendorf
Centerpiece PR for Smith + Howard
[email protected]