Kevin Smith
Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Ohio

Kevin Smith is a visionary civic leader, strategic connector, and champion of community engagement, serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Ohio, a statewide organization dedicated to cultivating informed, collaborative, and forward-thinking leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

With a career grounded in executive leadership, revenue generation, executive education, fundraising, coaching, and organizational strategy, Kevin brings a blend of entrepreneurial drive and community-centered purpose to his work. He leverages deep experience in external relations, institutional advancement, and stakeholder engagement to expand Leadership Ohio’s impact, strengthen civic networks across diverse regions, and equip emerging leaders with the skills and perspective to address Ohio’s most complex challenges.

Before joining Leadership Ohio, Kevin served in senior roles focused on external relations and strategic development in higher education and the nonprofit sector, where he built strong partnerships between institutions, alumni, civic leaders, and business communities. His work reflects a commitment to inclusive leadership development and cross-sector collaboration that fosters social impact and economic vitality.

A passionate advocate for lifelong learning and civic participation, Kevin also brings experience in professional service firm leadership and organizational strategy, where he has worked to strengthen human resource capacity and cultivate broad-based support for mission-driven initiatives.

Kevin holds advanced degrees in education and business administration, underpinned by a commitment to equity and public service. He is active across Ohio’s civic landscape and regularly engages with leaders from government, business, education, and nonprofit sectors to advance shared goals of inclusive leadership and sustainable community progress.