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

“My Last Name” Podcast Features Brad D. Smith

03/27/2023

Brad D. Smith joined Robert Slagel on the “My Last Name” podcast to discuss what good leadership looks like, the value in celebrating your heritage, the importance of authenticity and the grit of Appalachia’s people. “My Last Name” focuses on the successes of Appalachians and tells the stories of their accomplishments. Listen to the episode by clicking the link below.

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Reflecting on Brad D. Smith’s First Year as Marshall University’s President

03/13/2023

Brad D. Smith was elected as President of Marshall University in October 2021 and stepped into the role in January 2022. After nine months in office, Brad was officially installed as the 38th president during a ceremony on September 16, 2022. In the year since Brad D. Smith has come into his presidential role at Marshall, the school has undertaken numerous initiatives to drive the university and its students forward. Brad’s work has been centered around Marshall’s vision statement, which is to “inspire learning and creativity that ignites the mind, nurtures the spirit and fulfills the promise of a better future.”

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Wing 2 Wing Foundation: Reflecting on 2022 and Looking Ahead to 2023

02/21/2023

In 2019, Brad D. Smith and his wife, Alys Smith, co-founded the Wing 2 Wing Foundation to uplift West Virginia by supporting accessible education, advancing entrepreneurial interest and conserving Appalachia’s natural resources. The past year has been particularly successful as the foundation has seen growth across its own assets as well as contributed to growth in the state at large.

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Brad. D. Smith Moderates Fireside Chat With Bill Gates and Senator Joe Manchin

01/31/2023 - Staff

On January 9, 2023, Bill Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, visited Charleston, West Virginia to discuss the future of the energy industry in the state. While in Charleston, Gates joined West Virginia Senator, Joe Manchin, for a fireside chat on energy innovations. The chat was hosted at the Clay Center and was moderated by Marshall University President, Brad D. Smith. With a personal stake in the future of Appalachia, Brad brought a unique perspective as moderator to the discussion of West Virginia’s role in the future of energy.

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Brad D. Smith Elected to Humana Board of Directors

01/31/2023 - Staff

In September 2022, Humana announced that Brad D. Smith was elected to the company’s Board of Directors. Brad’s impressive tenure as an executive leader, and his more recent role as President of Marshall University, bring a unique perspective to the Humana Board. Humana Chairman of the Board, Kurt J. Hilzinger, stated, “Brad’s deep operating experience and ability to innovate across all organizational layers, while also being mission and customer driven, will be vital as Humana continues to grow its core Medicare Advantage business, drive operational efficiencies, and mature and further integrate its healthcare services offerings.” Read more about Brad joining the Humana Board by clicking the link below.

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Brad D. Smith Shares the Top 6 Activities to Do this Winter in West Virginia

12/21/2022

As the colder months roll in, many of us retreat indoors for the season. While you may stay warm in your home, there’s a host of adventures to delve into this winter in West Virginia. Bundle up, get outside and explore these activities and destinations below.

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Sheryl Sandberg Visits Marshall University

12/21/2022

Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta (formerly Facebook), sat down with Marshall University President Brad D. Smith while visiting the university to speak on her story of perseverance and resilience in the face of life’s greatest challenges.

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Tips for Finishing the Semester Strong

12/02/2022

As the fall semester at Marshall University and other institutions come to a close and exams begin, it’s time to make the last few weeks count. Undergrad and graduate students alike can be stressed and face more academic challenges during this last-minute push. Read on for advice from Marshall University President Brad D. Smith on finishing the semester on a high note.

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Top Remote Workforce Programs in America

11/29/2022

The pandemic has instituted many changes in America, one being the shift towards more long-term remote work opportunities. Many people who previously worked in an office have reported feeling just as or more productive in their remote working space. What’s more, according to research, remote teams are here to stay with an expected 25% of all North American professional jobs being remote by 2023.

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Brad D. Smith Discusses The Rising Number of West Virginia Startups

11/09/2022

West Virginia is an opportune place for startups to thrive. From the eastern panhandle to southern West Virginia, the Mountain State has seen over 4,300 new businesses formed since 2010, along with a nearly 50% increase in business registrations since 2018 alone. Additionally, the West Virginia government has taken steps to encourage entrepreneurship in the state.

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10 Fall Activities to Enjoy in West Virginia

09/29/2022

Something about the fall season inspires a sense of adventure. It’s a great time to get out and about, visiting new places and experiencing new things. Known for its beautiful outdoor scenery and recreational activities, West Virginia makes for an optimal fall destination.

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