Reverend Paula Anne Smith-Benson is the founder and Pastor at Reign in the Rain Ministries, Inc. in New Jersey where she preaches, teaches and provides pastoral care. She is also the co-founder and Director of Leadership Development at the Women Veteran Command Center, an organization serving female veterans in the Philadelphia area.

Paula's background includes retiring as a Major from the United States Air Force Nurse Corps following more than 20 years of active service including as Flight Commander, Family Advocacy Nurse, and Troop Commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has also held positions as Clinical Nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Quality and Patient Safety Manager. She continues to exhibit a strong commitment to the community as a member of the National Association of University Women, National Black Nurses Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Paula earned a B.S. in Nursing from Hampton University where she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. She also earned an M.S. in Nursing specializing in Nurse Midwifery from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a Certified Christian Life Coach from Freedom Bible College and Seminary and Doctor of Management student in the Strategic Leadership program at Philadelphia University.