Renee K. Smith was appointed Managing Director of the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation in March 2025. She is an expert strategist, cultural curator, and nonprofit leader dedicated to advancing African diasporic arts, education, and wellness. In her role as Managing Director, she oversees partnerships, development, and operations, building systems that strengthen sustainability, transparency, accessibility, and collaboration across programs.

With over two decades of experience in nonprofit management, education, fundraising, and digital strategy, Renee has designed and implemented systems that help organizations thrive while staying true to their mission. She holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Social Entrepreneurship from The Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at The New School, a Bachelor of Dance Education and Early Childhood Education from Hunter College, and certifications from Columbia University’s Non-Profit Middle Management Program and the Executive Leadership Program sponsored by Community Resource Exchange (CRE).

Renee is also the founder of Akika Flower Essence & Apothecary, a wellness practice that bridges ancestral plant wisdom and modern healing through flower essences, infused products, and consultations. She is the author of Kitchen Medicines: 21 Healing Herbs for Everyday Wellness, The Divine Collection, and Be the Medicine, and is the host of a podcast that explores culture, spirituality, and transformation.

A Brooklyn native, Renee has traveled, taught, and performed across the globe, including Italy, France, Cuba, Brazil, Guinea, Senegal, Ghana, Benin, and Jamaica. She continues to weave together her passions for the arts, healing, and strategy as a mother, educator, executive leader, and community advocate.