Ed Smith

Ed Smith has spent his life equipping leaders to shape healthy organizational cultures, navigate strategic transitions, and lead with biblical integrity. With over 40 years of experience spanning commercial banking, local church leadership, and nonprofit development, Ed offers a unique voice that blends executive insight with pastoral care.

He currently serves as President of Williamson College, where he has led a financial and operational transformation while fostering a distinctly Christ-centered learning community. Previously, he founded Oxygen for Leaders, Inc., a leadership consultancy serving faith-based nonprofits and church ministries with vision casting, team development, financial planning, and conflict resolution.

Ed challenges and encourages students to pursue purposeful living in the gospel of Christ. His message speaks to the heart of discipleship–calling men and women to a deeper sensitivity to God’s call on their lives, their roles in their families and churches, and their impact in the world.

Ed holds a B.A. in American Studies from Georgetown College, an M.B.A. from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. An avid mountaineer, Ed has coordinated and led several leadership development treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp (2005, 2008, 2009, 20 I 0), and has engaged in n1issions work in Kurdistan, Nepal, Honduras, Guatemala, and Israel.

He and his wife, Kay DeKalb Smith, a Christian entertainer, author, and inspirational speaker, have been married 43
years. They reside in Franklin, Tennessee, and are the proud parents of two married daughters and five grandchildren.