L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Spring 2023

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Alumni changemaker: Myra Goodman Smith (’82 B.S., ’84 M.P.A.)

BY RACHEL ZEEVE

For Myra Goodman Smith, public service is her life’s work. From her days as a volunteer candy striper at MCV Hospital at the age of 14 to her current position as president and CEO of Leadership Metro Richmond, Smith has made a name for herself through her unwavering commitment to helping others.

“My academic and professional journey has been infused with community leadership and service, which began early in my life,” she said. At the helm of Leadership Metro Richmond, which has served the area for over four decades, Smith and the LMR team represent a transformative community engagement platform and leadership development initiative.

Through a social equity-based lens, LMR fosters strategic partnerships across organizations to create opportunities for community advancement and facilitate meaningful connections. LMR offers a 10-month leadership development program as well as activities and networking opportunities that promote the growth of a diverse cohort of burgeoning change agents. “Since I was a teenager in Richmond, I have both worked with and observed leaders in action,” she said. “It is exciting to help them be more impactful and effective in our challenging times.”

Smith is a proud Richmond native and graduate of its public school system. “During my senior year of high school, I became one of the city council’s youngest commissioners,” she said. “I continued to serve during my time at VCU. This experience showed me the power of influence and civic engagement.”

Her service with the city inspired her to pursue an urban studies and planning undergraduate major at VCU. By the time she reached her senior year, she was an intern in the lieutenant governor’s office. “The urban studies degree prepared me for my first jobs as a regional economic development planner and a community development planner,” she said. “The urban studies program also helped me understand the history and trends of critical community issues in the Richmond region.”

After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she continued her Wilder School education and began the M.P.A. program — which she completed in just two years. “My M.P.A. prepared me to lead departments in technology, human resources, operations, campaigns and community programs,” she said. “I never said no to new opportunities — I kept learning.”

Today, she brings her vast expertise to the Jenkins Foundation, a $60 million health legacy foundation that supports the Richmond region. As chair of the foundation, she advocates for its mission of promoting equitable access to primary health care, mental health services and substance abuse-related care.

“I never said no to new opportunities — I kept learning.”
— Myra Goodman Smith