Robert F. Smith, Founder

Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert F. Smith is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and a longtime supporter of the National Action Network (NAN). His work with
the organization has included participating in panel discussions at NAN conferences and
supporting the organization’s philanthropic initiatives.

More About Smith’s Connection With NAN

Smith was an honoree at two 2018 NAN events. He was honored as a civil rights leader at the organization’s Annual National Convention alongside rapper Common and business leader Richelieu Dennis. Smith was also anhonoree at NAN’s Keepers of the Dream Gala. This award is given to honorees who have remained steadfast in advancing the values Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. championed. Smith joined the ranks of previous honorees, including actor Samuel L. Jackson, singer John Legend and activist Gloria Steinem.

In 2019, Smith participated in a panel discussion at the organization’s National Convention. At the Convention in 2024, Smith moderated apanel discussion on “Retirement Security and the Billion Dollar Women of Wall Street Making it Happen.” In 2023, Smith spoke at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which was organized by NAN, the King Family and other partners.

About Smith

Smith’s passion for giving back to his community began at a young age, inspired by the example of his parents, both educators. His mother brought him to the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom as an infant, the historic event where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream”speech. Growing up, his parents instilled in him and his brother the values Dr. King championed, lessons he later reflected on in the book “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Decades later, Smith returned to give a speech at the 60th anniversary of the march. His commitment to philanthropy was also shaped by his family’s support of the United Negro College Fund, to which they donated every month regardless of their financial circumstances.

In 2019, Smith continued his family’s legacy of creating opportunities for others when he donated $34 million to eliminate the student loan debt of the Morehouse College graduating class. He later expanded the commitment to include the debt incurred by their parents and guardians on their behalf.

Smith became the first Black American to sign the Giving Pledge in 2017, committing to donate more than half of his wealth over the course of his lifetime.
He supports his alma mater Cornell University, where he earned a B.S. in chemical engineering. In 2016, Cornell named its School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in his honor following contributions from Smith and Fund II Foundation. Smith also supports Columbia Business School, where he earned his MBA and serves on the school’s Board of Overseers.

Beyond higher education, Smith applies his experience and leadership to initiatives that drive opportunity in communities across the U.S. Smith is a co-leader of Southern Communities Initiative (SCI), a consortium of companies with a single mission: to accelerate wealth creation and economic growth in six Southern U.S. communities. He is also the Chairman of Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a student-centered, evidence-based and holistic tax-exempt nonprofit dedicated to freeing students from the burden of student loan debt.

Stay up to date with Smith by following him on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn along with
subscribing to his YouTube channel.