Nathaniel Smith is the Founder and Chief Equity Officer (CEqO) of the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE), which advances policies and actions that progress a “New Southern Agenda” for racial equity and shared prosperity in the American South.

As Chief Equity Officer, Smith facilitates opportunities and advances policies within external and frontline organizations to achieve balance, sustainable, and inclusive growth throughout the metropolitan Atlanta region and beyond. His resilient efforts have been instrumental in empowering diverse local, regional and national stakeholders to act within a unified vision and voice for equity and transformational action.

Before taking on the founding role of PSE's CEO, Smith served as Director of Partnerships and Research for Equitable Development at Emory University's Center for Community Partnerships (CFCP), and Public Policy Manager at the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP).

Among many of his accomplishments, The Huffington Post honored Nathaniel as one of the eight “Up and Coming Black Leaders in the Climate Movement” in 2017. The Chronicle of Philanthropy highlighted Nathaniel as One of the 15 People Changing the Nonprofit World in 2017. Nathaniel was also designated one of the 100 “Most Influential Georgians” by Georgia Trend magazine and named to the Grist 50 by Grist Magazine in 2018. Atlanta Magazine honored Nathaniel with the Groundbreaker Award in 2019.

Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies from Morehouse College, during which he received the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship for Public Policy and International Affairs. He earned his Masters of Science Degree in Management and Urban Policy at the New School.

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