Background

Marvin L. Smith is a mission-driven philanthropy and nonprofit executive. He brings two decades of experience across education, corporate philanthropy, communications, advocacy, and fundraising.

As Founding Chief Public Affairs and Development Officer at the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF), Marvin stewarded over $200 million in philanthropic partnerships with the Gates Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Walton Family Foundation. He also built AERDF's storytelling infrastructure and led the successful pursuit of its first multimillion-dollar gift after launch.

Previously, he served as Chief External Officer at Teaching Trust and Director of Government Affairs at the KIPP Foundation, where he helped mobilize $300 million in federal funding for schools nationwide. Earlier, at U.S. Cellular, he led strategic planning for the charitable giving program and managed corporate communications and outreach to governors and mayors across the company's footprint.

Marvin earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.A. from Loyola University Chicago. He is a member of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC), where he serves on the Policy Council and advises entrepreneurs within the network on fundraising and storytelling.