Keena M. Smith, MPA is an economic strategist who served over 25 years in key community
economic development positions in local government. Serving the City of Columbus for 17
years, she managed some of the city’s largest neighborhood economic development
projects including the development of The Gateway Building and the multi-million dollar
renovation of the historic Lincoln Theater in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville area.

Keena served as Franklin County’s first African American woman Deputy County
Administrator with strategic oversight over five agencies. She also served as the County’s
first Chief Economic Equity and Inclusion Officer where, during the pandemic, she led the
County’s effort to stand up Freedom Equity, Central Ohio’s newest Community
Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity (WCEO) is a 501c3 founded by Keena in
2013. She become CEO in 2021. The organization serves 2500 business owners in work
across five pillars- wellness, business and wealth acceleration, research, publishing and
community building. Aspire Business Accelerator is the regions’ oldest pitch competition-based
accelerator for women. Published research includes Navigating the Pandemic:
Covid-19 Business Impacts on Black Businesswomen in Ohio (collaboration), Advancing
Entrepreneurial Mobility released in 2024 examined the economic impact of Central Ohio’s
minority businesses; Lift Her Voice Action Agenda Brief: How the Financial Services
Industry Can Increase Market Share with Black Women (March 2025). In May 2025, WCEO
will release the Aspire Women’s Book of Business with profiles of over 100 top local
businesswomen and the companies and investors who help them succeed.

Ms. Smith is a business owner of nearly 30 years, supporting national public, private and
social sector organizations with research, planning and capital funding strategies they
need to reduce economic disparities and foster shared prosperity in their communities.
She worked with the Kroger Company, National Urban League, City of Jacksonville, FL,
Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, New Growth Innovation Network and others
across the country to achieve these aims. Through her work nationally and locally, she has
raised and made accessible to minority communities and entrepreneurs over $5 billion
dollars in New Markets Tax Credits and other capital resources.

She has served on many boards and committees throughout her career including MORPC,
CATCO and the Community Shelter Board. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Jobs Ohio
Small Business Advisory Council, Secretary of the Preston Brown NFL Foundation and
Philanthropy Chair of The Ohio State University Black Alumni Society. She is also a charter
member of the Women’s Collective at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Smith is blessed and grateful to have been recognized and honored for her work. She is
a John Glenn College of Public Affairs Alumni of the Year award recipient, Columbus
Business First Diversity in Business Award Outstanding Head of Diversity awardee,
Mahogany Magazine’s Central Ohio’s Most Influential Women Class 1 and recipient of the
Gahanna City Council 2024 Juneteenth resolution.

Ms. Smith holds a BA in Economics and a master’s in public administration from The Ohio
State University. Proud mom of 2 physicians, Keeanna Smith, MD and Stewart Smith, MD,
she is a Cincinnati native who resides in Gahanna.