News
April 30, 2025 by Jamie Schaadt
Accomplished marketing executive brings decades of brand leadership and a deeply personal connection to healthcare innovation
Columbus, OH, San Diego, CA and Denver, CO – Intelliguard, a leading provider of automated medication management and data-intelligence solutions, today announced the appointment of Vanessa Kentris Smith as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Vanessa brings over two decades of strategic marketing leadership across multiple industries and will spearhead Intelliguard’s brand strategy, customer engagement, and go-to-market growth initiatives.
“Joining Intelliguard is deeply personal. As a parent whose child has been cured of cancer, I’ve seen firsthand how critical precision, safety, and trust are in hospital care,” noted Smith. “The experience opened my eyes to the behind-the-scenes systems that support frontline caregivers and protect patients. I’m honored to help elevate a mission that ensures innovation in healthcare truly serves those who need it most. I am thrilled to join the team that is making a difference for better healthcare operations and caregiving for future patients.”
Smith is widely recognized for her ability to drive integrated marketing platforms, build high-impact brand campaigns, and foster customer loyalty through data-driven insights and human-centered storytelling. She has been honored as a Campaign 40 Over 40 recipient, Silver Stevie Winner for Woman of the Year, and a Chicago Business Journal Women of Influence honoree for her leadership and impact.
She has held senior roles at industry-leading organizations including The Marketing Store Worldwide, where she led U.S. operations and drove year-over-year client growth through strategic brand development and digital innovation. She also played a pivotal role in launching McDonald’s U.S. mobile app strategy, overseeing field engagement, offer platforms, and national market activation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Vanessa to the Intelliguard executive team,” said Bob Howard, CEO of Intelliguard. “Her proven track record in transforming brands, building teams, and shaping meaningful customer experiences makes her the ideal leader to guide our marketing efforts during this exciting period of growth.”
Most recently, Vanessa was Principal at VKS Advisory, where she guided organizations in healthcare, retail, and natural products on brand positioning, partnership development, and marketing operations. She also serves as a faculty advisor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and actively supports several nonprofits – including St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Make-A-Wish, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital as a marketing advisor and fundraiser.
This executive appointment reinforces Intelliguard’s commitment to innovation, customer focus, and expanding its leadership in intelligent healthcare solutions.
About Intelliguard
Intelliguard is a purpose-built healthcare technology company dedicated to helping hospitals and health systems focus on patient-centered care. By transforming fragmented medication management data into actionable intelligence, Intelliguard improves operational efficiency, compliance, and clinical decision-making. Its AI-powered Mira Ecosystem integrates RFID automation, real-time visibility, and predictive analytics into a single, unified platform. Trusted by over 700 hospitals nationwide, Intelliguard empowers safer, smarter, and more patient-centered care. For more information, visit intelliguardhealth.com.
Contacts
For Company Inquiries:
Vanessa Kentris Smith
vsmith@intelliguardhealth.com
For Media Inquiries:
Kelly Biele
kbiele@cglife.com