Out team

Meet our faculty

STEVEN SMITH, PhD

Founding Faculty & Executive Director
Dr. Steven Smith serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Applied Geopolitics (IAG), bringing over 25 years of distinguished experience spanning academia, industry, and global consulting. His expertise in integrating geopolitical analysis with strategic planning has established him as a thought leader in helping organizations navigate complex global challenges.

Throughout his career, Dr. Smith has built a comprehensive understanding of global markets and geopolitical dynamics through roles in both corporate and academic environments. His experience includes engineering and management positions at Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo, as well as faculty appointments at institutions including Rutgers University, Columbia University, and the University of New Orleans.

As a strategic advisor, Dr. Smith has consulted with Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries, helping organizations navigate complex geopolitical challenges and optimize their global operations. His analytical framework integrates political, economic, and cultural dimensions to provide comprehensive insights into emerging market opportunities and risks.

Dr. Smith's commitment to advancing geopolitical education led him to develop innovative training programs, including co-founding the Certificate in Geopolitical Analysis program at Florida Atlantic University. Through IAG, he continues to advance cutting-edge geopolitical intelligence training for professionals worldwide, helping organizations build the analytical capabilities needed for success in today's dynamic global environment.

A sought-after speaker and commentator on global affairs, Dr. Smith has lectured across six continents, addressing audiences ranging from university students to corporate executives. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, MBA, and Ph.D. in Strategy and International Business from Rutgers University, credentials that underpin his multifaceted approach to analyzing today's complex strategic environment.

Under his leadership, IAG continues to advance the understanding of geopolitical dynamics and their impact on organizational strategy, providing decision-makers with the tools and insights needed to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.

RODGER BAKER

Distinguished Founding Faculty & Senior Advisor
Rodger Baker is a leading expert in geopolitical analysis with over two decades of experience as Executive Director of the Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics. His expertise spans the Indo-Pacific region, with particular focus on China and the Korean Peninsula, great power competition, and strategic forecasting.

A Senior Fellow at the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations and Steering Fellow for the Mackinder Forum, Baker specializes in helping organizations navigate complex global dynamics through multidisciplinary geopolitical analysis. He brings extensive experience in advising governments, corporations, and global institutions on strategic decision-making and long-term planning.

At IAG, Baker leads advanced courses in applied geopolitical analysis, drawing on his expertise in strategic forecasting and international relations.

Distinguished Guest Faculty


Our faculty roster is expanding. Distinguished practitioners from government, business, and academia will be joining the IAG community in the coming months, bringing expertise across our full curriculum of geopolitical and intelligence analysis.
Testimonials

What our students say about us

The "Geopolitical Analysis" course taught by Rodger Baker and Steven Smith met all of my expectations and then some. The course provided me with practical knowledge and expertise that is directly applicable to my work and expands the breadth of services I can offer to my clients. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to expand their toolkit for offering predictive analysis, whether internally for their business or externally to others.
— Bruce S.
Certificate in Geopolitical Analysis program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of geopolitical forces. It equipped me with practical tools to identify global risks and opportunities, and skills to anticipate and mitigate future disruptions. I recommend this program to anyone looking to enhance their strategic decision-making abilities in today's complex global environment.
— Gyudae K.
Having spent almost forty years in the investment business this course provided new and creative ideas about the analytical process with the added benefit of lively geopolitical instruction and conversation.
— Michael C.
Created with