Episode 6. Barbara Sexton Smith –Past-Louisville Metro Deputy Mayor & Frmr. VP, Fund for the Arts
Barbara Sexton Smith’s mission is to leave the earth better than she found it.
Barbara has a storied professional background, including time in corporate America, where she became the second highest-ranking woman at Wendy’s International.
She is also a successful entrepreneur. In 1996, she founded Quick Think, Inc., a leadership development company, and was nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
A champion of the arts and area nonprofits, Barbara helped raise more than $200 million for Louisville-area organizations, including the Fund for the Arts, Metro United Way, Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the National Conference for Community and Justice and West Louisville Boys and Girls Choirs.
Barbara Sexton-Smith is a prominent civic leader and former politician from Louisville, Kentucky.
She served as a member of the Louisville Metro Council, representing District 4, which encompasses parts of downtown Louisville and nearby neighborhoods.
During her tenure on the Metro Council, Sexton-Smith was known for her advocacy on various issues, including social justice, economic development, and community empowerment.
Before her time on the Metro Council, Sexton-Smith had a successful career in nonprofit leadership.
She served as the President and CEO of the Fund for the Arts, one of the country’s oldest and largest arts fund organizations.
Under her leadership, the Fund for the Arts significantly increased its fundraising and support for local arts organizations, contributing to Louisville’s cultural vitality.
Sexton-Smith is recognized for her commitment to public service, her efforts to improve the quality of life for Louisville residents, and her dedication to promoting the arts and community development.
Today, she helps teach others how to reach their goals, leading courses in negotiation.