Brad D. Smith

President of Marshall University, Co-Founder of the Wing 2 Wing Foundation and former executive leader. Powering possibility and leveling the playing field through education, entrepreneurship and equal opportunity.

About


While most people know of Brad D. Smith from his time spent as Intuit’s CEO and later executive chairman, his most recent work is rooted in academia and philanthropy. A proud West Virginia native with a passion for leadership and driving positive change, Brad is serving his home state as the President of Marshall University and the Co-Founder of the Wing 2 Wing Foundation. In both roles he is working to create and provide entrepreneurial support and guidance for young and aspiring business leaders from lesser-known zip codes.

Marshall University


Brad graduated from Marshall University in 1986 and has since remained an active member of the Marshall community. In 2021, Brad was unanimously selected to be the institution’s 38th president during a Board of Governors meeting. Brad’s ultimate goal as the university’s leader is to leverage the school as a great equalizer, transforming obstacles into potential and possibility.

Prior to his current appointment, Brad proactively sought out ways to support the school over the years. In 2015, Brad and his wife, Alys, established the Brad D. and Alys Smith Family Scholarship, and in 2018 the couple made a transformational gift to the university’s college of business.

Philanthropy


Brad and his wife Alys are both passionate about uplifting the place that Brad has always known as home: the state of West Virginia. It is what drove Brad to pursue his role at Marshall University and what inspired the couple to found their own nonprofit organization. In 2019 the Wing 2 Wing Foundation was created to advance the great equalizers of education and entrepreneurship in regions where individuals and communities have been overlooked and underserved. In doing so, they strive to champion human dignity and unleash human potential.

“Talent is dispersed equally, but opportunity is not,” Brad often says. 

Through the same compassionate leadership and passion for giving back, Brad and Alys seek to live by their favorite quote: “We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.”

Explore The Wing 2 Wing Foundation here.

Executive Leadership


Much of Brad’s leadership career was defined by his time at Intuit. While he held several leadership positions at Intuit during his 19-year tenure, the majority of his time was spent as the company’s CEO and, finally, Executive Chairman. Brad is credited with having transformed the company from a North American desktop company to a global cloud product and platform company that offers household name services like QuickBooks, TurboTax and Mint. Through his decade plus of transformative service, Brad retained and fostered the company’s core values and character that placed it on “Best Places to Work” lists year after year. Learn more about his leadership lessons and tenure as an executive leader.

Recent Articles and News

Navigating Your First Semester: A Guide to Success

08/16/2024

As a native West Virginian and someone who has witnessed the transformative power of education, I’ve had the privilege of guiding students through their academic journeys. I view education as the great equalizer. It levels the playing field of opportunity, transforms problems into possibilities, and turns dreams into reality.

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Marshall University Partners With Cabell County to Create Unprecedented Opportunities for Students

07/02/2024

In a transformative initiative designed to remove the barriers to higher education for local high school graduates looking to pursue a four-year degree, Cabell County School Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe and Marshall University President Brad D. Smith announced the “Cabell Commitment” plan, a transformative move designed to remove the barriers to higher education for local high school graduates throughout the state.

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Continuing the Country Roads Legacy: How Appalachian Music Impacts Local Culture

05/24/2024

Nestled deep within the intricate landscapes, winding rivers, and majestic mountains that define the region, Appalachia has long been celebrated for its rich musical heritage. So much so it carved out its very own musical genre.

A tradition deeply rooted in the enduring spirit of generations of settlers who have shaped the nation's history and continue to propel its future, “Mountain Music” emerged from a melting pot of cultures and influences.

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Future Leaders: How Gen Z Employees Are Shaping Today and Tomorrow’s Workplace

04/23/2024

New generations bring change across all aspects of life. The characteristics of each generation have been influenced by the societal, economic, and technological factors prevalent during their youth.

Currently, the workforce consists of four main generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Gen Z, the newest to enter the workforce, comes with a different set of values and interests that will transform the workplace. As President of Marshall University, Brad D. Smith has directly observed the strength, adaptability, and ethical values embodied by Generation Z. These young leaders are primed to lead and revolutionize the workplace, driving progress and adaptation in the ever-evolving professional landscape.

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Spring Into Gear with Mountain Biking in West Virginia

03/28/2024

West Virginia and the Appalachian Region are home to some of the most beautiful vistas across the United States. With spring and summer around the corner, now is the perfect time to take to the mountains and try mountain biking. Brad D. Smith is a passionate advocate of the sport, and through his organization, the Wing2Wing Foundation, he is dedicated to advancing mountain biking throughout West Virginia. Beginners and experts alike can read more about the thrills of mountain biking below.

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Why Leading with a Purpose is So Important

02/29/2024

Over the years, I have come to realize a few things about leadership: failure can teach just as much as success, the impact of servant leadership, and perhaps most importantly, leading with purpose. These principles have driven my own means of leadership in both my executive career and as Marshall University’s President. I am grateful to have learned these principles from special, trusted mentors. Leaders are not necessarily born, they are nurtured and built by experiences big and small. For me, one of the key aspects to becoming an effective leader is finding the purpose behind your leadership.

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