To support the growing number of new initiatives and programs brought about by a substantial increase in membership, NAIC is proud to announce today that we are expanding our team with the addition of David Smith, who joins the association as Programs and Initiatives Manager effective August 26th.

In this multifaceted role, Smith will manage several of NAIC’s strategic programs designed to support members, broaden public awareness of the superior performance diverse-owned investment management firms deliver, support and strengthen industry partnerships, and cultivate relationships with existing and potential new member firms. A key member of the NAIC staff, Smith will be directly involved in:

• Executing and enhancing current NAIC programs
• Identifying the needs of and supporting partner organizations to bolster alliances and increase high-level engagement
• Collaborating with the marketing and communications team to enhance the NAIC brand nationally and internationally
• Developing key industry insights to further sharpen NAIC’s ability to articulate key trends and the impact of its members across the country

Over the last year, NAIC membership has increased to a record 80 firms while we have rolled out several new initiatives designed to further our cause of increasing diversity within the financial services industry. These efforts include the highly-successful Establishing the Next Generation of Private Equity Firms Symposiums, ENGAGE Trustee Education Symposia in partnership with GCM Grosvenor and the Diverse Asset Managers Initiative; as well as the formation of a multi-year partnership with premier global boutique, William Blair & Company. In addition, NAIC is putting the finishing touches on the 2019 Performance Study, a critical resource that quantifies the performance of diverse managers.

These programs, along with such ongoing efforts as NAIC’s Institutional Investor Roadshows that connect diverse investment managers with institutional investors, necessitated the recruitment of an experienced professional such as Smith who brings to bear considerable experience in the nonprofit space.

Smith most recently served as Senior Regional Organizer for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), a group that works to bring investment to underserved communities. In that role, he engaged with community development nonprofit organizations to support and grow the coalition’s membership base. Prior to the NCRC, Smith was Chief of Staff for the U.S. Black Chambers Inc. where he was directly involved in all operations of the organization, including accounting, fund-raising, membership engagement, communications, human resources and more.

“The addition of such a talented and experienced professional to NAIC’s ranks will enhance our ability to serve our members and help strengthen industry partnerships,”says Robert L. Greene, President & CEO. “He will be integral to our existing initiatives and those we roll out going forward in our ongoing efforts to further the cause of diversity and inclusion within our industry.”