Leadership & Governance

Laurell Aiton is Chief Administrative Officer at SMX, where she works with the executive leadership team to devise strategies to support SMX’s core purpose of accelerating clients’ impact on the world. She brings to this role 30 years of experience in leadership and management and a cross-section of internal business functions focused on company growth. She is known for removing obstacles and leading by example.

By contributing to strategic operational planning activities for enterprisewide functions, Laurell ensures effective integration and efficient operations in support of the company’s core values, operating imperatives, priorities, and growth initiatives. Her responsibilities include business insurance, contracts, human resources, export control, facilities, legal, property, purchasing, talent acquisition, safety and security, subcontracts, and training.

Previously under her leadership as Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Relations, the company earned significant recognitions: the Companies as Responsive Employers award in Northern Virginia, #1 Best Firm to Work award from Vault Media and named among its Top Technology Consulting Firms for ten successive years, the Health and Wellness Trailblazer award by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence for eight years, and the Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval. 

Previously Ms. Aiton was an Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton where she supported more than 4,000 staff members across eight regional U.S. offices.  Before that, she was Assistant Manager of Employee Benefits at Bank of Hawaii as well as an adjunct professor of human resources at Hawaii Pacific University.

In 2021, Laurell was named to The Software Report’s “Top 25 Women Leaders in Cybersecurity.” Her multiple professional community positions have contributed to the health and welfare of business and their employees both in DMV. 

She received a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management with distinction from Hawaii Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park. She is a graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland. 

Having lived in many places around the world, Laurell is now based in the Tampa, FL, area, married, with two adult children who are Army officers. She enjoys advancing the cause of DE&I, helping all advance their careers.