Megan Smith

Megan Smith
Name	Megan Smith
Birth date	1964
Birth place	California, United States
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Occupation	Engineer; Entrepreneur; Public servant
Years active	1980s–present
Notable works	Chief Technology Officer of the United States

Megan Smith Megan Smith is an American engineer, entrepreneur, and public servant known for leadership in technology innovation, civic engagement, and inclusion initiatives. She has held senior roles at major technology firms, served in the Obama administration as Chief Technology Officer of the United States, and co-founded organizations focused on diversity and social impact. Smith's career spans work with start-ups, multinational corporations, federal agencies, and philanthropic ventures.

Early life and education

Smith was born in California and raised in a family that encouraged science and technology pursuits, leading her to pursue studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she earned a degree in engineering. At MIT, she engaged with student groups and research projects connected to fields represented by institutions such as Lincoln Laboratory, Cambridge research centers, and nearby technology firms in Boston. Her formative years included internships and early employment that connected her to networks like National Science Foundation-supported programs and industry partners in Silicon Valley.

Career in technology and entrepreneurship

Smith's early professional path included roles at technology start-ups and established companies, interfacing with ventures in locations such as San Francisco, New York City, and international technology hubs. She worked on product development and strategy, collaborating with executives and engineers from organizations like Apple Inc., Sun Microsystems, and firms spun out of Stanford University research. As an entrepreneur and investor, Smith co-founded and funded initiatives with links to incubators and accelerators such as Y Combinator and venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, while engaging with innovation networks connected to Women Who Code and Black Girls CODE.

Google and corporate leadership

Smith joined Google in executive roles that involved product management, strategy, and corporate partnerships. At the company she led teams working on developer platforms, hardware collaborations, and public-facing products, interacting with groups like Android, Google.org, and global engineering centers in Mountain View. Her corporate leadership included cross-functional work with marketing, legal, and policy teams, and partnerships with organizations such as NASA, NOAA, and international ministries of technology. Smith's tenure at Google positioned her among senior leaders from companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Facebook who shaped platform strategy and civic engagement programs.

U.S. Chief Technology Officer and public service

In the Obama administration Smith served as Chief Technology Officer of the United States, working alongside officials from the White House, the Office of Management and Budget, and federal science agencies. Her role involved coordinating technology initiatives with departments such as Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and the Department of Defense, and fostering partnerships with academic institutions including Harvard University and Stanford University. Smith launched efforts to open federal data, advance digital service delivery, and leverage innovation ecosystems encompassing entities like Code for America, 18F, and civic technology networks across municipal governments such as New York City and San Francisco. She represented the United States at international forums including meetings hosted by the United Nations and engaged with multinational research consortia.

Advocacy, initiatives, and philanthropy

After public service, Smith co-founded and led organizations focused on inclusion, entrepreneurship, and climate innovation, collaborating with philanthropic foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and networks including Ashoka and Skoll Foundation. Her advocacy emphasized expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented groups through partnerships with groups such as Girls Who Code, AnitaB.org, and Techstars. Smith supported initiatives connecting venture capital, corporate innovation programs, and municipal labs, while advising climate technology efforts associated with institutions like Rockefeller Foundation and science-policy programs at Columbia University and Stanford.

Awards, honors, and recognition

Smith has received recognition and awards from a range of institutions, including honors from technology associations like National Academy of Engineering-affiliated programs, civic awards from municipal governments such as City of San Francisco and academic accolades from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has been profiled by media organizations including The New York Times, Wired, and Fortune, and has been invited to speak at conferences like TED, South by Southwest, and summits organized by World Economic Forum. Her memberships and advisory roles include boards and councils connected to National Institutes of Health-affiliated initiatives, university advisory boards, and nonprofit governance bodies.

Category:American engineers Category:United States Chief Technology Officers