Robert Smith

Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vista Equity Partners, since 2000, he is regarded as the most successful enterprise software investor in history. With a net worth estimated at $9.2 billion by Forbes as of March 3, 2024, he holds the distinction as the second wealthiest Black person globally and the wealthiest among Black Americans.

As Vista’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Smith steers Vista’s investment strategies and decisions, oversees governance, and manages investor relations. Under his leadership, Vista has focused exclusively on sectors such as enterprise software, data and technology enabled solutions. Presently, Vista manages equity capital commitments exceeding $100 billion and supervises a diverse portfolio of over 85 software companies, collectively employing approximately 90,000 individuals worldwide. As of March 2023, these companies have generated annual revenue surpassing $25 billion.

Since Vista’s founding, Mr. Smith has overseen over 140 completed transactions by the firm.  Throughout this period, Vista has managed capital for numerous limited partners, including prominent public and private pension plans, endowments, family offices, and high net worth individuals. The firm consistently ranks among the top performers in the private equity sector.  Notably, Buyouts magazine recognized Vista Equity Partners Fund III with the Gold Medal in 2012 for being the top-performing 2007-Vintage Buyout Fund in the United States.

Personal Attributes and Interests

• Mr. Smith is married to model, healthy living advocate, and fashion editor Hope Dworaczyk.
• He is the first Black American signatory of the Giving Pledge, a campaign to encourage extremely wealthy people to contribute a majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
• During a 2019 commencement speech at Morehouse College, Mr. Smith vowed to wipe out the student debt of the entire 2019 graduating class. 

Board and Advisor Roles

Mr. Smith currently serves on or participates on all the boards of Vista’s portfolio companies, including Misys, Active Network, and Omnitracs.

Accolades

Mr. Smith's notable accomplishments in both business and philanthropy have garnered accolades from various esteemed organizations. These include:

• The Reginald F. Lewis Achievement Award
• The Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Robert Toigo Foundation
• The Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
• The Award of Excellence from the National Association of Investment Companies
• The Columbia University BBSA Distinguished Alumni Award

In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Smith holds the distinction of being the Principal Inventor on two United States and two European patents. Beyond his professional pursuits, he indulges in the leisure activity of fly fishing.

Philanthropy, Community Service and Memberships

He is a participant in the Giving Pledge initiative, spearheaded by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, demonstrating his commitment alongside the world's most affluent individuals and families to allocate the majority of their wealth towards philanthropic endeavours.

Mr. Smith's philanthropic contributions include a generous donation of $20 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, establishing him as the museum's second-highest private benefactor. Additionally, in January 2016, he bestowed $50 million upon his alma mater, Cornell University, prompting the institution to rename its school of chemical and bioengineering in his honour. Notably, he assumed the role of chairman at Carnegie Hall in June.

Furthermore, Mr. Smith holds or has held significant positions in various charitable organizations, serving as Chairman of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, Member of the Cornell Engineering College Council, and Trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Additionally, he contributes his expertise as a Board Member of Carnegie Hall.