The Governing Board of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (the foundation) is pleased to announce Leslie Lynn Smith’s appointment as its new President and CEO, effective June 2, 2025.
Smith brings a deep commitment to community development and has an impressive track record of advancing inclusive economic growth, leadership development, and strategic partnerships in multiple communities across the country. Before joining the foundation, Smith served as the National Executive Director for GET Cities, where she worked to foster economic justice and inclusion, empowering individuals, families, and communities through innovative approaches to economic development.
A native of Detroit, Smith’s journey in community leadership began in a city known for its resilience. She has dedicated her career to building more equitable economies by supporting local entrepreneurs and creating pathways for underrepresented voices in the innovation economy. Before leading GET Cities, Smith served as the founding President and CEO of Epicenter, the nonprofit hub for the greater Memphis community, where she helped broaden the region’s entrepreneurial landscape through robust partnerships and targeted business support.
Smith also served as the President and CEO of TechTown Detroit, the city’s leading business incubator and accelerator, where she launched groundbreaking urban economic development programs, created tech-based companies, and fostered collaborative regional entrepreneurship. Earlier in her career, she served as the Director of Business Acceleration for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, overseeing the state’s $300 million startup investment portfolio and leading efforts to connect innovators with critical resources and support.
Smith’s thought leadership has been recognized on stages worldwide and she has been featured in major publications like Forbes, Fortune, and StyleBlueprint. In 2019, she was named one of the Memphis Business Journal’s “Super Women of Business.” Her active board service includes the Center for American Entrepreneurship, and she has previously served on the National Women’s Business Council of the SBA, as well as with numerous technology startups and nonprofit organizations in Detroit, Memphis, and Chicago.
As she steps into her new role at the foundation, Smith is excited to bring her deep experience in community building and impact investing to Charlottesville and the surrounding counties, helping to guide the foundation in its mission to improve the quality of life for those negatively impacted by inequitable systems across the region, so that everyone can belong, participate, contribute, and thrive.
“I am joyful beyond measure and profoundly humbled to be chosen for this critical role at this moment,” said Smith. “This opportunity feels like a dream come true – a chance to put down roots, connect deeply with a community, and work alongside extraordinary partners, a dedicated board, and a talented team to create meaningful change. I am eager to dig back into place-based, purpose-driven work. I look forward to learning, growing, and creating impact in new and innovative ways with the entire Charlottesville community.”
Please join us in welcoming Leslie Lynn Smith as the new President & CEO of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.