Keep up with the news, inspiring words and business insights that make Brad tick! From leadership lessons, news related to Brad’s work in academia and the latest updates from the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, think of this blog as a resource for learning and connection.
05/17/2023
On Saturday, April 29, Marshall University celebrated its 2023 spring commencement, honoring and awarding the institution’s latest graduating class through two ceremonies held at Mountain Health Arena. Students walked the stage in recognition of their various achievements — from undergraduate to doctoral degrees — and celebrated the milestone that is degree completion while also reflecting on the moments that led to the present moment. This year’s spring commencement marked the second that Brad D. Smith has led as Marshall University’s president.
LEARN MORE04/25/2023
For decades, the West Virginia economy depended on the coal industry. But as the world’s approach to energy has shifted, so has West Virginia’s story and role. Recent years have seen the state’s energy market moving in the direction of a low-carbon future. As part of this change, new businesses and organizations across the state are blazing paths, driving economic development through nature-based initiatives. In turn, these new entities are helping to create jobs in impoverished areas while raising awareness for environmental issues and solutions.
LEARN MORE04/11/2023
President of Marshall University, Brad D. Smith, and Marshall Athletic Director, Christian Spears, delivered a keynote address at PACnet ‘23 on “Lessons in Leadership.” The four-day conference was hosted by software company Paciolan, in Huntington Beach, California. The event’s theme was “Simplifying Success,” and aimed to inspire and empower attendees. Brad and Christian’s keynote address was guided by moderator Sarah Davis, Senior Vice President of the University Partnership Group at Learfield, who initiated discussion on topics such as shifting how your team thinks and taking care of people in order to win on multiple levels.
LEARN MORE03/13/2023
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.”
LEARN MORE02/21/2023
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.
LEARN MORE01/31/2023
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.
LEARN MORE12/21/2022
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.
LEARN MORE12/21/2022
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.
LEARN MORE12/02/2022
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.
LEARN MORE11/29/2022
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.
LEARN MORE11/09/2022
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.
LEARN MORE09/27/2022
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.
LEARN MORE09/12/2022
Every year, Marshall University receives freshman students during its Week of Welcome (WoW). The purpose of the program is to give new students the opportunity to acclimate to the campus, college life and all things Marshall before the upperclassmen arrive. It is an immersive experience designed to educate students on important available resources, and help them become familiar with the school’s academic expectations and traditions.
LEARN MORE08/02/2022
“I’m a boy from a small town in West Virginia who spent twenty two years dreaming of a way out and every day since looking for a way home,” Brad told Good Morning America on October 22, 2021. The segment focused on Ascend West Virginia — an initiative Brad started alongside his wife Alys, the West Virginia Department of Tourism and West Virginia University to encourage remote workers to relocate to the Mountain State.
LEARN MORE07/01/2022
The last two years have seen a monumental shift in the work environment. With the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic came a great migration — many employees packed up their desks and set up shop at home, diving headfirst into a professional ecosystem that the world had not yet seen before. Now, in 2022, as the pandemic slowly eases on, life as we once knew it has begun to return. But the work life and culture of the past has not. Many have chosen to either remain at home permanently or opt for a hybrid work environment: commuting to the office occasionally, rather than every day.
LEARN MORE06/16/2022
Considering his notable tenure as a business leader in Silicon Valley, followers of Brad D. Smith’s professional career may have been surprised to see his path take a new direction in late 2021, leading him away from business and into academia. In January 2022, Brad was no longer just the former Intuit executive or the co-founder of a nonprofit. In addition to business and philanthropy, his professional pursuits were now taking him into the world of higher education, as the President of Marshall University.
LEARN MORE06/13/2022
On January 1, 2022, Brad D. Smith stepped into a role distinct from the various experiences that had previously defined him as a business leader. Just recently the executive chairman of Intuit, a software company located in Silicon Valley, Brad pivoted to a new sector entirely: academia. Brad entered his new position as the President of Marshall University with the tenacity, humble leadership and strategic mind that has traditionally defined his career.
LEARN MORE06/01/2022
This year has already been an exciting one for economic development in West Virginia. In early January 2022, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced three pieces of significant economic news, marking what could be a turning point for the state’s economy and narrative.
LEARN MORE05/10/2022
Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association (MUAA) honored many notable alumni at the 83rd Alumni Awards Banquet on April 9. Brad D. Smith was honored with the university’s Distinguished Alumnus award while, Alys Smith, was selected as the recipient of the Distinguished Service to Marshall University award. The Distinguished Alumnus award and the Distinguished Service to Marshall University award are two of the university’s highest honors.
LEARN MORE12/02/2021
“I am being called to follow my purpose,” Brad wrote in an inspired LinkedIn post on November 16, 2021. The purpose to which Brad is referring? Two and a half weeks prior to the post, on the morning of October 28, 2021, it was announced during a Marshall University Board of Governors meeting that Brad D. Smith had been selected as Marshall University’s 38th president.
LEARN MORE10/07/2021
When you think about career development, personal growth or leadership, your mind might automatically jump to thoughts of college courses, training seminars or management books. But the truth is, inspiring leadership lessons don’t have to come from an online course complete with a downloadable certificate, or from pages that are catalogued under 303.34 (“leadership”) in the Dewey Decimal System.
LEARN MORE08/19/2021
One of the driving goals behind the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC) is to expand outdoor educational opportunities. This means helping kids step away from screens and inspiring them to get outdoors, instead. At the OEDC, we know just how much West Virginia’s great outdoors has to offer and we want our state’s youth to know and appreciate it too!
LEARN MORE08/05/2021
On May 11, 2021, on an NPR “All Things Considered” segment titled “Pennies From (Almost) Heaven: Get Paid To Move To West Virginia,” hosts Alisa Chang and Mary Louise Kelly discussed Brad D. Smith’s Ascend West Virginia program. The episode included some recorded quotes from Brad, as well as quotes from Danny Twilley from West Virginia University, Assistant Dean of the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative.
LEARN MORE07/29/2021
On April 9, 2021, Danny Twilley and Paris Winfrey appeared on the Positively West Virginia podcast to discuss the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC) with co-hosts Jim Matuga and Frank Vitale. Danny is the Associate Dean for the OEDC and Paris is the Program Coordinator. Both individuals were excited to share the OEDC story with Positively West Virginia – a podcast that prides itself on equipping small business owners and entrepreneurs with tools they need to succeed in West Virginia – and its listeners.
LEARN MORE07/22/2021
The Wing 2 Wing Foundation focuses on supporting accessible education to instill capabilities and skills needed to participate and compete in the digital world. Wing 2 Wing primarily operates in the Appalachian Region, where technological changes have created upheavals in the social and work lives of residents and youth.
LEARN MORE06/24/2021
On June 3rd, 2021, Brad D. Smith appeared on the the Mountaineer Media Podcast, a podcast that connects West Virginians by sharing stories and interviewing leaders. Smith, a native of West Virginia, discussed his roots and Ascend West Virginia, a remote worker initiative he is spearheading. Brad also explained how West Virginia’s unique culture guided his career path, and how he's working to help the state become an entrepreneurial force.
LEARN MORE05/27/2021
I’m often asked what skill, experience or attribute I find most important in today’s fast-changing environment. Admittedly, my answers have evolved over the past 35 years of my professional career. Looking back, it has become clear that one skill stands the test of time, and I believe will be increasingly in-demand as we push ahead in the 21st Century. That skill is agility.
LEARN MORE05/21/2021
The graduating class of 2020 experienced a variety of challenges as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. From stay-at-home orders and having classes interrupted, to cancelled spring break plans and virtual graduation, this group of students had to overcome various hurdles as they graduated and pursued future endeavors. To honor them, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise held an in-person commencement ceremony on May 9, 2021, at Carl Smith Stadium. Brad D. Smith was a part of this special ceremony, where he delivered the commencement address via video to the graduating class.
LEARN MORE05/07/2021
On March 17, 2021, Brad D. Smith participated in the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative’s Focus Forward event. The event focused on the National Weather Service’s available data that could benefit innovators and businesses. Focus Forward aims to bring together business, education and government leaders to discuss forward-thinking ideas and how to implement them in West Virginia.
LEARN MORE05/06/2021
On March 9-10, 2021, the virtual 3 Steps to StartUp Venture Fair featured experienced investors, innovators and entrepreneurs who offered advice on starting a business and attracting investors.
LEARN MORE04/29/2021
Shaping culture, catalyzing change and building coalitions of the willing share one thing in common – they are the outcomes of successful storytelling. A leader’s ability to organize details that create an emotional arc and result in visible progress and change in the receiver(s) is the most under-rated tool in a leader’s toolbox.
LEARN MORE04/15/2021
When you think of technology companies and revolutionary innovation, West Virginia likely isn’t the hub that pops into your mind. That could all change in the future; at least according to several optimistic West Virginia tech experts. In an article published by the State Journal, Anne Barth, TechConnect Executive Director, and Jim Estep, President and CEO of the High Technology Foundation in Fairmount, shared their thoughts on some big changes that will impact West Virginia’s role in the tech industry.
LEARN MORE04/12/2021
In October 2020, Alys and Brad D. Smith—through their Wing 2 Wing Foundation—donated $25 million to West Virginia University to develop the Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC). The OEDC was created to leverage the state’s outdoor recreation opportunities to stimulate the economy and improve the overall quality of life in West Virginia. As part of this program, a remote worker initiative called Ascend WV was created, and, as of Monday, April 12, 2021, interested candidates can apply. In the United States there are now more than 4 million workers able to work from wherever they want. West Virginia is hoping to capture their attention and introduce them to the natural beauty of the area.
LEARN MORE03/26/2021
Brad’s journey to becoming one of the most successful Silicon Valley CEOs wasn’t without challenges, but those challenges molded him into the leader he is today. In a December interview with Investor’s Business Daily, Brad discussed his past experiences and how they have shaped his leadership style.
LEARN MORE03/24/2021
On January 28, 2021, Brad D. Smith virtually joined Rebecca Fannin to discuss lessons he has learned as Intuit’s former CEO and now executive chairman. In the session, Brad breaks down his five principles of leadership, as well as how his humble beginnings in West Virginia made him who he is today. The show featured questions from Fannin, as well as real-time questions from the virtual audience. After discussing leadership, Brad spoke on the importance of his home state, West Virginia, in making him the man and leader he is today.
LEARN MORE03/22/2021
On December 3, 2020, Intuit’s chairman Brad D. Smith virtually joined the Charleston Area Alliance’s webinar “Celebration 2020: Trailblazing the Future of the Kanawha Valley.” The event celebrated innovation in the Mountain State and offered a look forward at economic development opportunities and entrepreneurship in the region. As the event’s keynote speaker, Brad spoke about West Virginia’s opportunity to lean into new trends in work and education, and investments he and his wife are making in the state.
LEARN MORE03/18/2021
For the Fall 2020 issue of West Virginia Executive Magazine, editor-in-chief Samantha Cart wrote about two business leaders with big plans for fostering economic opportunities in the Mountain State. The article featured Brad D. Smith and John Chambers, JC2 Ventures CEO, and explored the work both leaders are doing to improve the communities that raised them. In 2018, just a day after Brad and his wife, Alys, donated $25 million to the Marshall University Lewis College of Business, West Virginia University released a statement that John Chambers had made substantial donations to higher education as well.
LEARN MORE03/11/2021
“Predictions are difficult, especially about the future.” That is one of the many mind-benders attributed to the great Yogi Berra. However, one prediction has proven to be more certain by the hour – rivals are disrupting market leaders at a pace that is accelerating. Research published in an article by the scholar Mark Perry affirmed that “nearly 9 of every 10 Fortune 500 companies in 1955 are now gone, merged, or contracted, demonstrating that there’s been a lot of market disruption, churning, and creative destruction over the last six decades.”
LEARN MORE03/09/2021
The Lewis College of Business and its Brad D. Smith Schools of Business at Marshall University hosted its third CEO Panel discussion on March 3, 2021. The panel is part of the Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series and started in 2018 as the highest-profile community event of the Brad D. Smith Schools of Business. The Dean’s Distinguished Speaker series offers a rich and vibrant experience to Marshall University students and various other stakeholders as they learn from renowned c-suite executives, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and industry leaders about business successes, effective leadership and the future of work.
LEARN MORE02/25/2021
In an earlier post, I shared a definition of leadership that I believe best articulates what is required for leaders to succeed in the fast-moving 21st Century. In doing so, I foreshadowed a framework derived from more than three decades of benchmarking, learning, applying and adapting. I call it “The Five Principles Leadership” – Potential, Purpose, People, Playbook, Pay-It-Forward, and committed to devoting the next five articles to diving deep into each of these “P’s”, sharing lessons learned, best practices and pragmatic tips for implementing the model in our daily leadership habits and organizations.
LEARN MORE02/23/2021
On November 20th, Brad D. Smith joined Marshall University’s president, Jerome A. Gilbert, for an interview as part of the first #WVSolutions Seekers Student Leadership Conference. The event invited West Virginia high school upperclassmen, college students, and individuals enrolled in professional training programs to engage with local leaders over Zoom. With a shared passion for giving back, West Virginia natives Brad and Gilbert encouraged students to learn about the Mountain State and make lasting connections with fellow attendees.
LEARN MORE02/18/2021
Jake Stump, director of research communications at West Virginia University, recently wrote an article in WVU’s Business Magazine about Brad D. Smith’s visit to campus in March of 2020. Before the COVID-19 pandemic fully hit the U.S., Stump joined faculty, staff, and students in welcoming Brad by giving him a tour of the WVU Innovation Hub. They asked the chairman of Intuit and SurveyMonkey board member about his personal relationship to West Virginia and his plans for improving professional and economic opportunities in Appalachia.
LEARN MORE02/11/2021
The importance of playbook was instilled in me at an early age when I enrolled as a martial arts student. To progress from the beginner rank of white belt to gold belt, I was expected to complete a series of skill tests which included breaking a board with my hand. Prior to enrolling in the class, I had many childhood memories of attempting to break sticks and other objects with my hand, only to experience intense pain and an unbreakable object. This time would be different, thanks to the introduction of a playbook.
LEARN MORE01/28/2021
One of the best examples of getting this right was the 1980 U.S Men’s Olympic Hockey Team. When college coach Herb Brooks was hired to helm the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, he set out to assemble a team of college all-stars with a singular goal of uniting his squad against a common foe, the heavily-favored Soviet team. As the story goes, Brooks invited the top players in the country to try-out for the team, and in an unexpectedly short period of time, made his selection.
LEARN MORE01/06/2021
In a recent issue of Chamber, Jack Houvouras, publisher of West Virginia Chamber and Huntington Quarterly magazines, wrote a compelling article about the life and career of Brad D. Smith. Inspired by Brad and his wife, Alys Smith’s recent $25 million donation to West Virginia University, Houvouras explores Brad’s personal and professional journeys to get a clearer understanding of the former Intuit CEO’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit.
LEARN MORE12/31/2020
In an earlier post, I shared a definition of leadership that I believe best articulates what is required for leaders to succeed in the fast-moving 21st Century. I foreshadowed a framework derived from more than three decades of benchmarking, learning, applying and adapting. I call it “The Five Principles of Leadership” – Potential, Purpose, People, Playbook, Pay-It-Forward, and committed to devoting the next five articles to diving deep into each of these “P’s”, sharing lessons learned, best practices and pragmatic tips for implementing the model in our daily leadership habits and organizations.
LEARN MORE12/21/2020
West Virginia University (WVU) recently invited Brad D. Smith, a native of Kenova, WV, to take part in their December 2020 graduating class’s celebration. As the remote event’s commencement speaker, Brad spoke to the students’ opportunity to thrive despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. He described how their experiences adapting to current adversity can instill some of the most important professional skills available: adaptability, resilience, and purpose.
LEARN MORE12/17/2020
In my most recent post, I shared a definition of leadership that I believe best articulates what is required for leaders to succeed in the fast-moving 21st Century. In the article, I deconstructed the various attributes necessary for a leader to role model “the ability to inspire others to achieve shared objectives.” In doing so, I foreshadowed a framework derived from more than three decades of benchmarking, learning, applying and adapting to bring it to life.
LEARN MORE12/02/2020
Since childhood, I’ve been enamored by those who seemed to run towards danger, guide others to safety or success, and deflect any accolades that came their way. As a boy, that was my definition of leadership. Over the years, many articles, books and presentations have been published that seek to define and decode the essence of successful leadership. While their numbers surpass my ability to read or listen to them all, I will confess that I’ve devoted a significant portion of my life to doing so.
LEARN MORE11/23/2020
On September 9, 2020, Brad D. Smith sat down for a Q&A session with writer and fellow Marshall University alumnus, Jack Houvouras, for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Virtual Business Summit Series. Brad spoke about his personal and professional reasons for transitioning from Intuit’s CEO, including his desire to seek out his next exciting life challenge along with his wife, Alys.
LEARN MORE11/12/2020
Brad D. Smith, executive chairman of Intuit, and his wife, Alys, recently donated $25 million dollars to West Virginia University to support groundbreaking new programs that improve the state’s economy, establish first-rate recreational infrastructure, and improve access to opportunities to explore and learn in nature.
LEARN MORE10/29/2020
The year 2020 has challenged us in ways that we could not predict, requiring us to improvise and adapt along the way. As we’ve experimented our way from day to day, many individuals have shared their reflections and best practices for navigating through a crisis. In this article, I will attempt to codify/share the key leadership lessons I have embraced so that bad times, followed by good reflection, can lead to great opportunity.
LEARN MORE10/26/2020
After careful development, Intuit’s executive chairman Brad D. Smith and his team are proud to announce the launch of the Wing 2 Wing Foundation website. Co-founded by Brad and his wife, Alys Smith, the Foundation strives to support human potential and growth with guidance through philanthropy and experienced leadership. By establishing an online presence, the Wing 2 Wing Foundation can more effectively connect people and fulfill its mission to bring greater educational, entrepreneurial, and environmental opportunities to those underserved regions that need it most.
LEARN MORE10/21/2020
In a recent interview with Moves The Needle, Brad D. Smith shares his experience as a leader, educator, and executive. Brad speaks about what an empathic and productive leader looks like for businesses and beyond. With a rich personal history of meeting challenges in the workplace and changing executive roles, he talks about what makes a leader effective when helping produce innovation and while cultivating these skills in others.
LEARN MORE10/16/2020
On October 6, 2020, West Virginia KIDS COUNT (WVKC) honored Brad D. Smith with the Champion of Children Award for his ongoing commitment to developing education-based and economic opportunities within the mountain state. WVKC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with over 30 years of experience meeting the needs of children and families. It is a member of the larger KIDS COUNT network with offices nationwide.
LEARN MORE09/24/2020
In a recent Q&A interview with Marshall University as part of the HERD 20-20 webinar series, Brad D. Smith provides his perspective as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and education-focused business leader. Brad offers his insight on multiple topics related to large and small businesses surviving and prospering during the pandemic, and he discusses how other corporate leaders are developing and deploying strategies for effective recovery.
LEARN MORE09/09/2020
In today’s increasingly chaotic and unpredictable world, a premium is being placed on the attributes and actions of our leaders. While some may argue that this is not a new expectation, the reality is that 2020 has brought an unanticipated share of challenges that have tested new and seasoned leaders in ways that could have never been imagined.
LEARN MORE10/21/2019 - LinkedIn Article
After stepping down from eleven years as Intuit’s CEO, Brad D. Smith realized that his decision, while the right choice, left him feeling uncertain about his own life’s next mission. Smith consulted with other successful industry leaders who had experience redefining their focuses and discovered that one of his biggest personal values was championing underserved and overlooked individuals and families.
LEARN MORE06/28/2018 - LinkedIn Article
Since serving on Intuit’s diversity council almost 20 years ago, Brad D. Smith always arrives at the same conclusion about the significance of diversity and inclusion: the true power of our differences happens below the surface of what we most easily observe about others.
LEARN MORE05/21/2018 - LinkedIn Article
No one achieves greatness on their own, and as a community-driven business leader, Brad D. Smith has had the privilege of learning from the employees and customers of the future.
LEARN MORE03/02/2018 - LinkedIn Article
Reflecting back on raising children, it has become clear to Brad D. Smith that many of the lessons that he's learned from being a parent apply equally to the work environment.
LEARN MORE01/03/2018 - LinkedIn Article
One of the most important differences between a “Team of All Stars” and an “All Star Team” is the latter’s ability to express vulnerability between members to secure trust in support of shared goals.
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