Robert Smith

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Tech, Community, and Giving Back (Nov 2023)

Robert F. Smith, founder of Vista Equity Partners, rose from a close-knit African-American community in Denver to become a successful investor and philanthropist, emphasizing diversity and value creation in his business and community involvement. Smith's journey highlights the power of community, diversity, and leadership beyond corporate success to societal contribution.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Co-founder) - Discussion at Concordia with Dr. Henry Gates (Sep 2023)

Diversity and digital equity are crucial for economic prosperity, with diverse workforces leading to increased innovation, employee performance, and customer attraction. Overcoming systemic barriers and bridging the digital divide are essential for inclusive economic growth and empowering underserved communities.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Investfest (Sep 2023)

Economic empowerment and community transformation were discussed, with education, mentorship, and ownership identified as key factors for success, particularly in underserved communities. Steve Harvey and Robert Smith emphasized the importance of unity, opportunity, and utilizing financial resources wisely.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Columbia Black Business Students Association's ELEVATE conference (Jul 2023)

Robert F. Smith emphasized the significance of youth engagement, historical awareness, and broadband access for educational empowerment, while acknowledging the challenges and opportunities in business school and advocating for systemic change through philanthropy. Smith also highlighted the importance of recognizing the historical contributions of African-Americans and using technology to bridge the digital divide, particularly in HBCUs.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - On Being The Richest Black American, Wealth, HBCUs, & Private Equity (Dec 2022)

Robert Smith's journey from engineer to Wall Street executive exemplifies leveraging capital and expertise for business growth and community development. His approach to private equity, focus on educational equity, and philanthropic endeavors highlight the interconnectedness of individual success and societal progress.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Discovering the Joy of Figuring Things Out (Nov 2022)

Robert F. Smith's work centers on fostering prosperity through community development, education, and economic empowerment, encompassing revitalizing Southern communities, investing in underrepresented founders, and advocating for financial literacy. His philanthropic efforts focus on education, entrepreneurship, and community development, particularly in underrepresented communities.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Capital Allocators Podcast (Jul 2022)

Robert Smith, founder of Vista Equity Partners, transformed the private equity and enterprise software industry through innovative strategies, talent development, and a focus on organizational design. Smith's emphasis on product development, sharing best practices, and evaluating management teams has led to Vista's success in the software industry.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Vista Equity Partners (Jul 2022)

Robert F. Smith, raised in an African-American community in Denver, witnessed racism and discrimination, which shaped his perspective and resilience, leading him to become a successful software titan through his company Vista Equity Partners. Despite the challenges of cybersecurity and interoperability, Smith believes in the transformative power of enterprise software to enhance efficiency, innovation, and inclusion in the modern era.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Inclusiv Conference (Sep 2021)

Robert Smith promotes financial inclusion, digital transformation, and community empowerment to tackle racial wealth disparities and economic divides, emphasizing collaboration and modernization of banking systems. Smith advocates for investments in local financial institutions like CDFIs and MDIs to improve financial access in underserved communities, leveraging technology to increase lending capacity and drive economic recovery.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Going Long Podcast (Sep 2021)

Vista Equity Partners, led by Robert Smith, combines a focus on enterprise software investing with a commitment to ESG, DEI, and community engagement to drive economic growth and address societal challenges. Vista's innovative approach emphasizes creating value for shareholders while delivering social and environmental benefits.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Black Banks and Black Economic Empowerment (Jun 2021)

Black banks face challenges in accessing capital, but they present investment opportunities for economic empowerment. Modernization and capital injection can increase their lending capacity, benefiting small businesses and underserved communities.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Industry Insights, National Association of Investment Companies (Apr 2021)

Robert F. Smith, a successful private equity investor, uses his platform and wealth to address systemic inequality, promote diversity, and empower underserved communities. Smith's journey highlights the importance of education, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy in creating a more equitable society.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - TIME100 Talks (Jun 2020)

Robert F. Smith's initiatives aim to address the student debt crisis for African Americans, hindering wealth accumulation and economic mobility, and he calls for collective action and corporate responsibility to uplift underserved communities.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Remarks at The New York Academy of Medicine (Oct 2019)

Robert F. Smith's visionary philanthropy emphasizes comprehensive healthcare, education, historical preservation, and social justice, aiming to address health disparities and empower African American communities. His commitment to preserving African American history, ensuring equal access to education and healthcare, and promoting diversity in technology showcases the transformative potential of targeted philanthropy.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Fireside Chat with Byron Allen & Robert Smith | 2019 Greenwich Economic Forum (2019)

Byron Allen overcame early challenges and financial struggles to build a media empire, focusing on content and strategic partnerships. He sees content as the new oil and aims to become the "Rockefeller of content."

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - 135th Commencement at Morehouse College (May 2019)

Robert F. Smith emphasized the transformational power of education, the need to address injustices and disparities, and the importance of community support and leadership in empowering future leaders. He also announced the elimination of student loan debt for the entire graduating class of Morehouse College, demonstrating his commitment to equitable opportunities.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Conversation with John Donovan, AT&T CEO (Nov 2018)

Internships act as crucial bridges from education to employment by offering practical training, skill development, networking opportunities, and insights into various industries and roles. Mentorship, diversity, inclusion, and technology play vital roles in leveling the playing field and shaping successful career trajectories.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - The David Rubenstein Show (Jun 2018)

Robert F. Smith's business success and philanthropy stem from his innovative approach to software, overcoming adversity, and commitment to community development. His significant contributions to the African-American History and Culture Museum and his commitment to the Giving Pledge exemplify his dedication to societal progress.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - The Fourth Industrial Revolution | Talks at Goldman Sachs (May 2017)

Robert Smith's journey from a Denver high school student to a technology and finance leader highlights the transformative power of innovation and strategic thinking in the digital age. His insights on technology's impact on industries, the importance of competitive advantages, and the need for long-term investment strategies offer valuable lessons for navigating the ever-changing landscape of business and technology.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Be an expert at your craft | Columbia Business School (Apr 2017)

Robert F. Smith, a private equity leader, emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and inclusion in the fourth industrial revolution, while also advocating for community empowerment and social responsibility. Robert F. Smith's journey from music industry to private equity success highlights the importance of expertise, relationship-building, and leveraging technology for widespread change and economic opportunities.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Youth Symposium 2016 (Mar 2016)

Robert F. Smith's upbringing exposed him to economic disparities, motivating him to pursue entrepreneurial ventures and community involvement. His experiences at Bell Labs fostered his belief in the profit-generating potential of intelligence and innovation.

Robert Smith (Vista Equity Partners Founder) - Color of Wealth Summit (May 2015)

Robert Smith, a trailblazer in enterprise software, advocates for equitable opportunities, wealth creation, and social empowerment through mentorship, education, and bridging gaps for underserved communities. He emphasizes the importance of asset building, equitable capital access, and addressing systemic issues to drive economic empowerment and societal change.