Robert F. Smith is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of leading global asset manager Vista Equity Partners (Vista).
Smith founded Vista in 2000 to invest in the enterprise software companies transforming the global economy. Under his direction, the firm has become a leader in technology investing with a commitment to building stronger businesses and creating opportunities in the digital economy.
Smith is the Founding Director and President of the Fund II Foundation, which seeks to preserve the African American experience and safeguard human rights. He also helped to launch Student Freedom Initiative to provide students attending Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) with freedom in their professional and life choices by increasing their social and economic mobility.
Smith is a strong advocate for the 2% Solution – calling on corporations to commit 2% of their annual net income over the course of 10 years to empower minority communities. He also helps to lead the Southern Communities Initiative to accelerate racial equity in six Southern communities that are home to half of all Black Americans.
Smith serves on the Business Roundtable Board of Directors, the Columbia Business School Board of Overseers and the Cornell Engineering College Council. He is also the Chairman of Carnegie Hall, a Founding Member of the World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance and a Founding Partner of the REFORM Alliance.
Smith holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
