Leading with Purpose, Moving with Heart. Welcome to Smile Forward.

With a grateful heart, I am excited to share some wonderful and exciting changes taking place.

What began in 2015 as Smile for Budgie—a tribute to the life and legacy of my late husband, Paul "Budgie" Burgess—has grown into a movement shaped by many and grounded in the belief that meaningful leadership begins within.

I founded the organization in memory of Paul, inspired by the extraordinary way he lived his life in service to others. A civil engineer, humanitarian, surfer, and drummer, Paul believed deeply in the goodness of humanity and in the inherent worth and dignity of every person he encountered. Carrying his spirit of compassion and service forward has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

Over the years, this journey has grown beyond anything I could have imagined, thanks to the many individuals, partners, and communities who have walked alongside us. As we continue to grow and expand our impact, we have embraced a new chapter as Smile Forward—a name that reflects our commitment to healing, hope, compassionate leadership, and creating lasting change in communities both locally and around the world.

Today, Smile Forward is a healing-centered movement cultivating resilience, leadership, and compassionate action—from youth with lived experience in foster care and homelessness here in Florida to communities navigating conflict and recovery in Ukraine. The thread running through all of our work remains the same: healing begins with presence, and lasting change begins within.

We envision a world where every person has the opportunity to thrive with hope, where healing is possible, dignity is honored, and purpose is awakened. We believe that when individuals are supported to lead with compassion and courage, they become catalysts for peace in their families, communities, and beyond.

Our mission is to uplift individuals and communities in times of challenge by strengthening compassionate leadership, equipping advocates, expanding educational opportunities, and advancing healing-centered practices.

What follows in these pages is a glimpse of that mission in action. We are delighted to share updates on our programs, partnerships, and the inspiring individuals who continue to lead forward with courage, resilience, and purpose. I hope these stories give you the same sense of purpose and possibility that I experience every day through this work.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, encouragement, and partnership make this work possible. Together, we will continue to smile forward, creating ripples of hope that extend far beyond a single moment and into future generations.

Paul used to close his letters with these words: "Laugh hard, smile big, hug with meaning, show your love, be happy, and always be kind to each other." They remain our north star.

We hope you will continue to walk alongside us, follow us on social media, and stay connected as we lead forward together.

With hope and gratitude,

Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess

Founder, CEO and President

Smile Forward

Explore our new website to learn more and read our full origin story.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @WeSmileForward