Heather Smith

Experience

Heather works with public, private and private equity-owned corporations across industries to build and refresh boards and execute CEO succession plans. Bringing knowledge of boards and boardroom risk derived from her experience in the commercial insurance industry, Heather offers a valuable perspective to DHR clients. While at Coregis, a GE Capital insurance subsidiary, Heather served as Head of the Directors & Officers Liability business where she was responsible for the company’s most profitable P&L and managed teams in Chicago and New York.

Heather began her career with American Financial Group in Cincinnati. She co-authored a book on employment risk and board exposure with one of the leading employment lawyers in the U.S. She has been called on as an expert in her field, speaking at conferences and consulting with executives on risk avoidance and board member protection. Heather is pleased to have helped thousands of boards safeguard their future, allowing them to focus on critical board responsibilities.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from Miami University. She currently serves on the Auxiliary Board of Rush Hospital and is an active leader with Deloitte’s Center for Board Effectiveness and Aspen Institute. She leads board diversity initiatives at Kellogg, Duke and Harvard Business School.