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 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.
Brad Under Smith’s leadership, Intuit experienced significant growth. Building on Intuit’s strong foundation and enduring mission, Smith cultivated an agile, innovative culture and led initiatives to reimagine and reinvent the company. During his tenure, Intuit expanded its product offerings and embraced emerging technologies, improving the financial lives of millions worldwide. Intuit consistently ranked among the top 100 best places to work and was recognized as one of the most-admired software companies each year.
Brad Before being named CEO, Smith was senior vice president and general manager of Intuit’s Small Business Division, overseeing QuickBooks, Quicken and Payroll products. He previously led the company’s Consumer Tax Group, which produces TurboTax, the nation’s leading consumer tax preparation software, but began his Intuit career leading the Accountant Central community, cultivating relationships and delivering services for accounting professionals.
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 a place to dream, work, and live, Smith has been steadfast in his work to ensure all West Virgnian’s are proud to call The Mountain State 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. The foundation’s goal is to aid and empower underserved communities in West Virginia and beyond. The Ascend West Virginia program, a flagship initiative of the organization, encourages remote workers to relocate to the Mountain State, bringing new culture and economic prosperity to West Virginia and its surrounding cities.
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, such as Ascend WV, the Brad and Alys Smith 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 involvement with DignifiHealth, Humana, Amazon, and First Ascent Ventures.
Smith is actively involved with First Ascent Ventures, a firm focused on supporting early-stage technology companies. His guidance is instrumental in helping startups navigate the challenges of growth and innovation.
He 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. Smith still remains a board member of Humana, where he contributes to shaping strategies in healthcare and wellness, leveraging his background in business innovation. He also serves as a board advisor for DignifiHealth, a healthcare technology company, where his expertise supports the intersection of technology and healthcare delivery.
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, Twitterand Youtube.