Pat Smith, a Certified Public Manager (CPM) with over 30 years of experience in community development, leadership, and communications. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet within the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).In this pivotal role, her contributions are instrumental in shaping the agency’s mission and drives significant progress.

Throughout her tenure at DCF, Pat has held various leadership positions, including Northwest Regional Communications Director, Press Secretary, and Community Relations Director. These roles have honed her skills in building strong relationships with community stakeholders and spear heading impactful initiatives. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Pat is a passionate motivational speaker and former radio talk show host on WTAL-1450 AM.

Pat’s dedication to community service is evident in her leadership on several boards. She serves as a board member for Renaissance, a Charter School USA board, and holds the position of Vice Chair for the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. Additionally, she mentors young women and girls through her work with Ladies Learning to Lead.

Her exceptional contributions have been widely recognized, earning her numerous accolades. She has been named one of the ‘25 Women You Need to Know,’honored as a Tallahassee State College Women’s History Month awardee, received the Florida Achievement Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW),the Image Award from the Florida Public Relations Association, and the NAACP’sBlack Achiever Award.