Donald Malcolm Smith

Senior leader with extensive experience overseeing fundraising, finance, administration, and enterprise operations within complex public and nonprofit institutions. Proven record of stewarding large operating budgets, strengthening internal controls, modernizing administrative systems, and advising Cabinet-level leadership. Brings a higher-education-informed, equity-centered leadership approach grounded in fiscal discipline, shared governance, and mission alignment, and experienced in translating complex financial information for diverse stakeholders and advancing institutional sustainability through data-driven decision-making.

As a volunteer Board Member and former nonprofit leader, I have a proven track record of securing funding through grant writing and fund development.

Chief Administrative Officer at U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel (2025-04 – Present)

Senior Executive overseeing operations, including human capital, space planning, budget, finance, and strategic planning for a 250+ person legal organization.

• Managed a $73M operational budget, directing contracting, purchasing, and interagency agreements.
• Implemented financial controls and a billing initiative that recovered $4M in previously unbilled attorney revenue.
• Led human capital operations, including workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
• Served as principal advisor to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for Administration on organizational performance, operational efficiency, and strategic priorities.
• Modernized operational systems by integrating data-driven planning, performance analytics, and human-centered processes to enhance service delivery.
• Directed organization-wide innovation and continuous improvement initiatives, aligning operations with emerging mission needs.

Chief Operating Officer at U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (2023-12 – 2025-04)

Senior Executive appointed by the Under Secretary to lead all Agency operations and drive mission execution and organizational effectiveness.

• Directed budget formulation, execution, and monitoring for a $68M congressional appropriation and developed the Agency's operating plan.
• Strengthened human capital systems, supporting onboarding and development of 58 FTE and establishing scalable procedures for Agency growth.
• Oversaw the development of MBDA's research agenda, ensuring data-driven analysis and integration of evidence-based policy.
• Conducted eligibility, cost allowability, and compliance reviews across multi-jurisdictional programs, advising project stakeholders and grantees on documentation requirements.
• Developed executive-level approval documents and briefing materials for governing authorities and senior federal leadership.

Senior Advisor at U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (2023-08 – 2023-12)

• Coordinated policy implementation, regulatory compliance review, and strategic planning activities affecting national grant and financial operations.
• Provided high-level legislative engagement, collaborating with Congress, the White House, OMB, and state-level stakeholders to ensure accurate execution of new statutory authorities.
• Streamlined review processes to increase accuracy and compliance in project documentation and reimbursement submissions.

Acting Assistant Administrator at U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Women's Business Ownership (2018 – 2022)

• Directed national grant-making operations, including eligibility review, award documentation, agreement development, financial compliance, and oversight of a $20M funding portfolio.
• Supervised staff conducting contract reviews, reimbursement processing, and compliance verification under federal grant regulations.
• Modernized operational workflows, reducing award-processing timelines from 60 days to 30 while maintaining audit-ready documentation.
• Provided guidance and technical assistance to grantees, reviewing agreements, ensuring allowable costs, and supporting proper documentation standards.

Deputy Assistant Administrator at U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Women's Business Ownership (2018 – 2022)

• Oversaw implementation of GrantSolutions, a federal enterprise grants management platform, including system design, requirements, testing, and national rollout.
• Led development of SOPs, compliance procedures, documentation standards, and eligibility review processes for national grant programs.
• Coordinated with legal, procurement, and budget offices to ensure accurate execution of grant agreements and contracting actions.
• Engaged elected officials, community stakeholders, and advocacy organizations to support program visibility and compliance accuracy.

Lecturer at School of Architecture and Planning, Morgan State University (2006 – 2010)

• Municipal Budgeting and Finance
• Housing and Land Development Economics
• Quantitative Methods for Planners

Doctor of Public Administration (2015)

Master of City and Regional Planning (2001)

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Pre-Law (1994)