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Experienced Richmond Area Leader, Myra Goodman Smith, Named LMR President/CEO: Leadership Organization Taps One of Its Graduates and 23-Year Non-Profit Veteran
 

Leadership Metro Richmond, the area’s only leadership development and community service program that harnesses the shared passion of emerging and established leaders to serve the Greater Richmond community, is pleased to announce the selection of Myra Goodman Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Ms. Smith served in several vice presidential positions for United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg and has led community needs assessment and business planning, fundraising, grants, community relationship management, process and policy development, customer service, information technology and human resources.

Stewart D. Roberson, LMR Board Chair, noted that Smith's leadership record "reflects a deep well of comprehensive management experience, including fund raising, strategic planning, and systems improvement, a record compiled during her nearly 23 year career at United Way."

Noting that Smith's community visibility is broad and well perceived, LMR Board Chair-Elect Julie Joyce said "Myra's strong partnerships with many key corporate donors in the Richmond region are evidence of the strong connections she will forge on behalf of LMR. At United Way, Smith has had responsibility for the cultivation of large clients such as Dominion and other leading Richmond corporations." In recent months, Dominion has been recognized by United Way Worldwide with its national volunteerism award.

In addition to her career excellence exhibited at United Way, Ms. Smith has provided guidance as Chairman, Commissioner and Board Member for many Virginia organizations including the Governor’s Award for Volunteering Excellence, the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias, AmeriCorps Review Committee, Mayor's Commission for the Disabled and Youth Services Commission, both of Richmond, VA . These are just a few of the organizations that Ms. Smith has served. Ms. Smith also has a Masters of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban Studies and Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Smith is also a 2006 LMR graduate.

Leaders as Champions

"Embedded in the leverage points that all smart communities do – investing right the first, working together, building on strengths, practicing democracy, preserving the past, growing leaders, inventing the future – are champions that made them a reality."

So says Suzanne Morse, the president of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change. To read more of her speech, "Leaders as Champions" download it here. For more of Suzanne's thoughts, check out her blog here.

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