A lifelong educator and national thought leader for teaching and learning, Dr. Felicia C. Smith brings decades of experience to advance NCFL’s mission of working to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families. With a career in education spanning nearly three decades, she has served in various leadership roles in P-12, higher education, nonprofits, and philanthropy. Through her experience leading systems, she’s developed a unique perspective on a learner’s educational trajectory. She is driven by her commitment to equity and excellence for every learner. Smith recently completed her fourth year at NCFL, where she’s launched a new strategic plan. Before joining NCFL, Smith served as the senior director of Global Delivery at the National Geographic Society, where she oversaw the implementation and programming of domestic and global education strategies aimed at transforming classroom and family experiences. Prior to that, Smith served as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in the 27th largest school district in the country (Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville, KY). She has also served as a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and as associate commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Education. She began her career as an elementary classroom teacher and taught at the University of Kentucky, where she led the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development, which provided professional development and conducted research in literacy for preschool through adult learners. Recognized as an Aspen-Pahara Education Fellow, she also serves on several national, regional, and state boards. Smith serves as Vice Chair of the Southern Regional Education Board and was appointed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to both serve on the PreK for All Advisory Committee and chair the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council. Smith holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration and an M.A. in Elementary Education, with an emphasis on literacy development.