Michele Smith is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Arts Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Tampa’s creative economy and positioning the region as a nationally and internationally recognized arts city. Under her leadership, the Alliance unifies artists, organizations, civic partners, and private industry to build sustainable cultural infrastructure, expand access to markets, and elevate the role of creativity in the region’s economic and community development.

Before leading the Tampa Arts Alliance since its founding in 2021, Michele developed a multidisciplinary career that bridges international business, cultural strategy, and community impact. Early professional experience in global trade, environmental services, and cross-sector project leadership informs her pragmatic approach to building systems that support artists and creative enterprises across Tampa Bay. Michele holds a degree in International Business and Fine Art from the University of Tampa.

In her tenure with the Alliance, she has advanced strategic partnerships across real estate, technology, tourism, and municipal leadership; expanded public and private investment in cultural initiatives; and catalyzed the development of new cultural spaces that increase visibility and opportunity for regional artists. Key initiatives include leading a capital campaign for a downtown arts center to serve as a creative anchor for the city and advocating for inclusive, long-term support for the arts.

Michele serves on the Hillsborough County Arts Council Board of Advisors and the Acquisitions Committee of the USF Contemporary Art Museum, and she is a board member for the City of Tampa’s Friends of Public Art. Her work reflects a commitment to cultivating a vibrant arts ecosystem where creativity drives economic growth, community identity, and civic pride.