Founder and CEO of shift7 & Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer
Megan Smith: Biography at a Glance
- Megan Smith is an award-winning entrepreneur, engineer, tech evangelist, and CEO and founder of shift7 which addresses social, environmental, and economic challenges using scalable, tech-forward solutions.
- She formerly served as the first female U.S. Chief Technology Officer, working on issues from AI, data science, and open source, to inclusive economic growth, entrepreneurship, structural inequalities, government tech innovation capacity, STEM/STEAM engagement, workforce development, and criminal justice reform.
- Prior to serving in government, Smith was a Vice President at Google, where she focused on Business Development and led acquisitions of Google Earth, Maps, and Picasa.
- Smith also served as CEO of PlanetOut, an online LGBTQ community and digital media company in the early days of the Internet.
- She is an advisor to the MIT Media Lab, Algorithmic Justice League, Vital Voices, and the Malala Fund, which she co-founded.
Videos
Biography
Megan Smith is an award-winning entrepreneur, engineer, and tech evangelist - currently CEO & Founder shift7, board member of MIT, Vital Voices, LA28 Olympics, Thinkof-Us, PlanetRead, Algorithmic Justice League, and Earth Conservation Corp. Smith served as the third U.S. chief technology officer (first female) and Assistant to the President from 2014-2017 - working on issues from AI, data science and open source, to inclusive economic growth, entrepreneurship & workforce development, structural inequalities, government tech innovation capacity, and criminal justice reform. Championing national networks for capacity building, she co-created all-hands-on-deck initiatives, including public-private programs TechHire, Computer Science for All, The Opportunity Project, AI town halls, and Image of STEM.
Earlier Smith spent over 11 years as VP at Google where and led new business development for global engineering teams, leading acquisitions of Google Earth, Maps, and Picasa. Smith also led Google.org by adding Google Crisis Response, GoogleforNonProfits, Earth Outreach, and Earth Engine. Smith is known for championing inclusive advancement as co-creator of WomenTechmakers and former CEO of PlanetOut.
Smith was an early smartphone engineer at General Magic, Apple Japan, with a BS & MS from MIT in mechanical engineering. She co-founded the MIT Solar Car team and raced 2,000 miles across Australia in the inaugural World Solar Challenge. She is also co-founder of Malala Fund, UN Solutions Summit; WEF Tech Pioneer, EU Global Tech Panel, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Academy of Engineering.
Today, through shift7, boards, media, and advising, Smith works collaboratively on systemic social, environmental, and economic problems — finding opportunities to scout and scale promising solutions and solution makers and engage proven tech-forward, open, shareable practices to drive direct impact together.
Topics
Innovation Nation: How to Creatively Source and Accelerate Solutions to Our Most Significant Challenges
Can we scout and scale technology solutions to the biggest challenges our society faces using the venture capitalist model? Can we capacity build the American people? Megan Smith argues that we can—in fact, she shows that we already are. At Google, General Magic, and Apple Japan, she brought deeply cross-functional teams together to solve significant challenges. Smith adopted that same approach in the federal government, identifying patterns and best practices that are making a difference in towns and cities across the United States, and then exploring how to reproduce them in other parts of the country. From retraining and building confidence in coal miners in Eastern Kentucky to reducing prison populations in Miami-Dade County, Smith’s examples will illustrate how your organization can identify what’s already working and how best to replicate that success.
How to Build a Creative, Confident, Inclusive, and High-Impact Workforce
Megan Smith believes that, in order to fully unleash your organization’s economic potential and competitiveness, you have to include a broader team in problem-solving. She refutes the notion that diverse voices haven’t always been part of the story, pointing to significant contributors from America’s “missing history.” Smith also explains how we can move much faster to retain and recruit inclusive teams, mitigate unconscious and institutional biases, and foster “ecosystem thinking”—bringing more people to the table, inspiring creative confidence, and solving our biggest problems.
How Technology and Innovative Approaches Can Transform Your Organization
During her tenure as the third chief technology officer of the United States, Megan Smith fundamentally altered the composition of the federal government. Her team collaboratively recruited top talent “rabble-rousers” from Silicon Valley and other tech sectors to address such critical issues as artificial intelligence, education and training, urban and rural poverty, data science, and economic inclusion. Smith describes how they teamed up with colleagues to employ their talents and adopt new approaches to using data, innovation, and rapid iteration in order to create a more open, collaborative, and responsive government—and explains how your company can do the same.
Diversity in Tech
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FAQs
How do I book Megan Smith for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Megan Smith to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
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Who is Megan Smith's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Megan Smith’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Megan Smith in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Megan Smith's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
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- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Megan Smith's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Megan Smith, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Megan Smith's speaking fee?
Megan Smith's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Megan Smith's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
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Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Megan Smith's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
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The cost to book Megan Smith as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
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Email speakers@caa.com for Megan Smith's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Megan Smith for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Megan Smith speaking engagements.
Official contact for Megan Smith bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/megan-smith
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Megan Smith.
Is Megan Smith available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Megan Smith speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
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What events can I book Megan Smith for?
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Megan Smith booking information and availability
Check Megan Smith's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
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- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
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Book Megan Smith keynote speaker through CAA
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Will Megan Smith speak at private events?
Yes, Megan Smith speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
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How quickly will I get a response about booking Megan Smith?
CAA Speakers responds to Megan Smith booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
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Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Megan Smith?
Book Megan Smith 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Megan Smith pricing information?
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For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
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CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.