State of Human Services: A United Way Perspective
with guest David Smith, CEO, United Way for Greater Austin
David Smith, CEO of the United Way for Greater Austin, has been in the forefront of reaching out to diverse parts of the community to collaboratively find solutions that create real impact for the past 20 years. He shares his perspective on the top human service needs facing our community and strategies that are being used to address them. He also speaks about the United Way’s role in maintaining civility within our community; closing with his lessons learned from his nonprofit engagement.
David C. Smith Bio:
David C. Smith, CEO of United Way for Greater Austin (UWATX), has been in Executive Non-Profit Leadership for over 20 years in Austin, Texas, leading mission focused and results driven organizations to substantial growth. David’s philosophy to non-profit leadership is that while there are many factors that go into a successful organization, one common thread through all is reaching out to diverse parts of the community to collaboratively find solutions that create real impact.
David was the founder and Executive Director of Hill Country Ride for AIDS from 2001 – 2012. Concurrently from 2008 to 2012 he founded and was the Executive Director of Mamma Jamma Ride for Breast Cancer. Under his leadership Hill Country Ride grew to be the second largest ride for AIDS in the country, and Mamma Jamma the largest ride for breast cancer in the country.
After that long and highly successful tenure, David started David C. Smith Consulting. Prior to joining UWATX, David served as the Interim Executive Director of The Thinkery from October 2014 to September 2015 and Interim Managing Director of Conspirare from September 2012 to August 2013.
David has served on many non-profit boards and currently sits on the boards of: Austin Theater Alliance (Paramount and State Theaters), Red Bird Foundation, Nobelity, Barton Springs Conservancy, United Ways-Texas, E3 Alliance, and Community Action Network. David has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the South (Sewanee), and a Masters in Theological Studies (ABT) from Wesley Theological Seminary and he is conversant in Spanish.
In his first two years at UWATX, David has led the organization through a 5-year strategic planning process resulting in a renewed focus, a new mission, and an increased and diversified funding base. David is proud of UWATX’s role as an investor in community impact through innovative programs to fight poverty.