Larry Smith

Larry Smith became President/CEO of Fathers and Families Center (FFC) in August 2022. The mission of FFC is: To build a noble legacy of fatherhood – assisting fathers in achieving self-sufficiency and in strengthening families to improve the life chances of children. FFC will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in 2023.

Previously, Larry served as Director of Development for the Hamilton County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). He also served as Managing Director of Indiana University’s Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence, as a Senior Vice President of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, as a Director at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, and as a Deputy Director of Hudson Institute. Larry began his career at Cummins Inc., where he ultimately became the youngest Director of Corporate Strategy in the company’s history.

Larry founded a consulting practice, Leading Edge Advisor Firm (LEAF) in 2009. LEAF helps academic, non-profit, for-profit, and faith-based organizations improve their efficiency and effectiveness in areas including, but not limited to: Board Development, Feasibility Studies, Strategic Planning, Organizational Development & Effectiveness, Fund Development, Leadership Development, and Market Research and Analysis.

Among the honors Larry has received are being selected for the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” award, “Indy’s Best & Brightest Award” from Junior Achievement, and a Fellow at the Tobias Leadership Center. Larry also has served as a board member for more than a dozen organizations. An ordained minister, Larry is the proud parent of three exceptional children and a wonderful son-in-law. He is also the grandparent of two little people (who he doesn’t spoil at all). Larry earned a BA from Williams College, where he was a Lehman Scholar. He also earned an MS from Stanford Business School, where he was a Sloan Fellow.