Brad D. Smith

West Virginia University presented Brad D. Smith with a Presidential Honorary Doctor of Business Degree for attaining national and international preeminence in business and providing distinguished leadership and service in his field.

A Successful Venture in Silicon Valley

Brad Smith served as president and chief executive officer of Intuit from 2008 through 2019 and as executive chairman of Intuit's board of directors from 2019 to 2022. He first joined Intuit in 2003 and held a series of executive positions during a five-year rise through the company, where he successfully led several of its major businesses.

Under Smith’s leadership, Intuit experienced significant growth. Building on it's already strong foundation and enduring mission, Smith cultivated an agile, innovative culturethat empowered the company to reimagine its products, modernize its platforms, and expand globally, improving the financial lives of millions worldwide. During his tenure, Intuit consistently appeared on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and was regularly ranked among the world’s most-admired software companies by the publication.

Before being named CEO, Smith led the Accountant Central community, cultivating relationships and delivering services for accounting professionals. After he was named senior vice president and general manager of Intuit’s Small Business Division, Smith oversaw QuickBooks, Quicken, and Payroll products. He also led the company’s Consumer Tax Group, which produces TurboTax, the nation’s leading consumer tax preparation software.

Brad D. Smith’s Return to West Virginia

Since receiving his honorary degree in 2016, Smith has transitioned from the business world to philanthropy and education. Growing up in Kenova, West Virginia, he had always aspired to one day return to his home state and continue to contribute to its revitalization. With a mission to uplift Appalachia as one of the best places to dream, work, and live, Smith has been steadfast in his efforts to ensure all West Virginians - native or transplant - are proud to call the Mountain State their home.

In October 2021, Smith was named the President of Marshall University, the 38th individual elected to the role, and the first alum to hold the position, officially beginning his term on January 1, 2022. Smith has always found ways to show his devotion to the school, and in 2019, established the Brad D. Smith Business Incubator, a space designed to support emerging entrepreneurs in Huntington, WV. Startups accepted into the program work and learn alongside other dedicated entrepreneurs and receive support to better accelerate local growth and community building.

Expanding Impact Through Wing 2 Wing

In addition to his position at Marshall, Smith also co-founded the Wing 2 Wing Foundation with his wife, Alys, to empower underserved communities in West Virginia and beyond. The foundation’s flagship initiative, Ascend West Virginia (WV), attracts remote workers to the Mountain State, infusing local communities with fresh talent, ideas, and economic activity. Building on that success, Wing 2 Wing launched First Ascent, a next-phase program designed to help Ascend alumni and other aspiring founders turn their talents into tangible ventures.

Both Wing 2 Wing and Ascend WV are also closely connected with the Brad D. Smith and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC). The OEDC aims to leverage the state’s outdoor assets to drive economic growth, inspire and educate the next generation, and empower residents to capitalize on West Virginia's natural resources.

Through various programs and initiatives, the OEDC has enacted positive change, attracting hundreds of remote workers to the Mountain State while providing grants and resources to support local education, business development, and community projects.

Board Memberships and Ventures

Beyond his commitments to West Virginia, Smith continues to influence national and international business through his board involvements with DignifiHealth, Amazon, and JPMorgan Chase.

Smith joined Amazon's board of directors in September 2023 and also serves on the board’s Audit Committee, bringing his extensive experience in technology and business to one of the world's largest companies. He also serves as Board Advisor for DignifiHealth, a healthcare technology company, where his expertise supports the intersection of technology and healthcare delivery.  In 2025, Brad was  elected to the JPMorgan Chase Board of Directors , stating, “I am honored to join the board at JPMorgan Chase, a company that shares my commitment to innovation, community development, and financial empowerment. I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of the organization, leveraging my experience to help drive meaningful impact for customers and communities worldwide.

Smith previously served on the Board of Directors for Humana Inc. from 2022 to 2025, where he contributed to shaping strategies in healthcare and wellness, leveraging his background in business innovation.

Education

Brad D. Smith holds a master’s degree in management from Aquinas College in Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marshall University.

Connect With Brad

Keep up with Brad and the work he’s doing to uplift West Virginia by following him on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instragram, Substack and YouTube.