Jerame Smalls, MBA, CSM, SSG

Director, Engagement Principal

Jerame leads with purpose. As Director and Engagement Principal at Ember Group Consulting, he brings the discipline of military leadership and the strategic thinking of business consulting to deliver mission-driven outcomes for clients facing complex challenges.

His leadership foundation was forged through 16 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard, including a recent deployment to Djibouti, Africa in support of U.S. Africa Command. Jerame’s military service—recognized with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and other distinguished awards—taught him how to execute strategy under pressure, lead diverse teams, and maintain focus when stakes are highest.

Those capabilities translated directly to his consulting work. As a Certified Equal Opportunity Leader, Department of Defense Pay Agent, and Women, Peace, and Security Gender Focal Point, Jerame developed expertise in fostering inclusion and navigating organizational complexity. His Certified ScrumMaster certification reflects his commitment to agile principles that enhance adaptability and accelerate execution. At Ember Group Consulting, his leadership approach drives team performance, client satisfaction, execution speed, and stakeholder confidence—delivering results that reflect both operational discipline and genuine investment in people.

Jerame earned his MBA from Claflin University, a top-ranked HBCU in South Carolina, where he blended academic rigor with applied business strategy. Currently pursuing his Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Management at Liberty University, he remains committed to deepening his expertise in organizational leadership and transformation.

What defines Jerame’s approach is his focus on employee engagement and inclusive leadership. He understands that sustainable transformation requires both operational excellence and genuine investment in people. As a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he extends this commitment beyond client work through community service, volunteering, and mentoring early-career professionals navigating their own leadership journeys.