Leslie Smith leaving Epicenter to lead GET Cities initiative
Epicenter in Memphis announced yesterday that Leslie Lynn Smith, founding President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), is stepping down to lead a new national technology initiative.
She has been selected as the National Director for Gender Equality in Tech (GET) Cities, an initiative designed to accelerate the representation and leadership of women in tech through the development of inclusive tech hubs across the U.S. GET Cities is led by SecondMuse and Break Through Tech in partnership with Pivotal Ventures, the investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates.
Jessica Taveau, Epicenter’s Chief Brand Officer, will assume the role of Interim President and CEO on October 1. In announcing the change, the organization’s Board of Directors noted that the leadership team will remain in place, and there are no further recruitment plans at this time. That team is comprised of Russell Ingram, Chief Operating Officer; Jan Bouten, Partner at Innova and Chief Investment Officer; Regina Ann Campbell, Chief Program Officer; and Fayre Crossley, Chief Grants and Compliance Officer.
In a follow-on email, Smith wrote: “I truly believe in this city’s citizens, culture, ideas, and investability, and this new role doesn’t change that. Memphis is my adopted home and a place that will hold my heart and a piece of me until the end of time. I am humbled to have worked amongst the world’s best, brightest, and most gracious humans. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this extraordinary community and for the honor to sit in this work with each and every one of you.”
