New York City Mayor Eric Adams has named Kate Smith as the new executive director of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, bringing a seasoned nonprofit leader into the fold to navigate the city through its myriad social challenges. Smith, who possesses an extensive background in strategic fundraising and community engagement, is poised to head the organization's aims to promote mental health services, enhance workforce development, and tend to the needs of NYC's immigrant populace, as detailed by the City of New York official website. Mayor Adams stated, "To meet these pressing challenges and priorities, our city needs a seasoned professional with the right skillset to get the job done — and Kate Smith is that person."

With a career spanning over two decades, Smith's track record includes leadership roles across various impactful organizations. Before her most recent appointment, she served as executive director at Runway of Dreams, an organization focused on representing people with disabilities within fashion and beauty. She's also worked with the American Red Cross and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, where her fundraising efforts were fundamental in garnering substantial resources for their respective causes. According to a statement obtained by the NYC government's official website, Nancy Webster, executive director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, said, "Kate played a pivotal role in developing key relationships and securing major funding for the Conservancy, allowing us to advance our vision for public programming in the Park."

Smith brings to the table a robust educational foundation, holding both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Trinity College-Hartford and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Michigan. Her educational background, coupled with her extensive nonprofit expertise, underscores her fit for the executive role. As the new leader of the Mayor's Fund, Smith's appointment has been met with optimism from city officials who anticipate her tenure will inject fervor and strategic vision into the Fund's operations.

The scope of the Mayor’s Fund is quite expansive, interfacing with 50 city agencies and 100 community-based partners, along with 300 institutional funders. Its partnerships and initiatives are designed to directly influence and enhance the quality of life of New Yorkers, covering all five boroughs. Smith, reporting directly to Deputy Mayor Ana J. Almanzar, steps into a role where her past experiences will be leveraged to further an agenda that engages with gender and racial equity, humanitarian crises, and other issues pivotal to the city's growth. "Kate Smith's appointment as executive director of the Mayor's Fund marks an exciting new chapter for the organization," Deputy Mayor Almanzar told the City of New York , grounding expectations in the promise of Smith's proven leadership and commitment to community improvement.