Kirby Smith

Kirby provides strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of initiatives, including higher education, career education and training, and contraceptive choice and access, and oversees the Strategic Initiatives team. She is responsible for identifying and launching new issue areas, leading cross-cutting strategy projects, and shaping the direction of Arnold Ventures' giving priorities.

Prior to this role, Kirby held several leadership positions at Arnold Ventures, including Director of Venture Development, Vice President of Strategy, and Vice President of Programs.

Before joining Arnold Ventures, Kirby worked as a management consultant in Bain & Company’s Chicago and Johannesburg offices and served as a fellow at the Civic Consulting Alliance in Chicago. Prior to graduate school, Kirby worked across a range of nonprofit organizations in the education and technology spaces.

Kirby holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Yale University.