Michael D. Smith

Michael D. Smith is a nationally respected social impact leader with decades of experience transforming systems, scaling opportunity, and uniting cross-sector partners to support youth, families, and communities.

He became President and CEO of Eckerd Connects on June 16, leading one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to workforce development, family support, and youth services. With more than 2,000 employees in 20 states and Washington, D.C., Eckerd Connects helps over 23,500 people annually gain the resources, skills, and support needed to thrive.

Smith’s commitment to service is deeply personal. Raised by teen parents in an under-resourced community in Western Massachusetts, he found mentorship at his local Boys & Girls Club, where he later worked and launched a career devoted to opening doors for underserved families.

Most recently, Smith served as CEO of AmeriCorps, overseeing $4 billion in assets and more than 200,000 service members across 40,000 locations. He modernized the agency, expanded opportunity, and launched initiatives focused on youth mental health, conservation, and public health. Previously, he led My Brother’s Keeper in the Obama White House, directed the Social Innovation Fund, and advanced civic engagement and economic mobility efforts at the Case Foundation.

He also founded a consulting firm supporting partners such as Harlem Children’s Zone, Blue Meridian, and the State of Maryland. His work has been featured on CNN, C-SPAN, and The Hill.

A graduate of Marymount University, Smith holds honorary doctorates from the University of New Hampshire and American International College. He is a TIME Climate 100 honoree, a Forbes BLK 50 honoree, and a Boys & Girls Clubs of America Hall of Fame inductee.