As the principal of David Smith Consulting, David develops fundraising strategies and practices that effectively address the modern concerns of independent schools.

Previously David served as the Director of Advancement at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn. He began his career as a history and government teacher in the New York City public schools and then taught at Friends Seminary in Manhattan. He started his career in development working with CCS Fundraising, where his clients included Women for Women International and the NAACP.

David returned to independent schools as the Director of Development at the Calhoun School and then became the Director of Development at The Allen-Stevenson School, where he led a successful $50 million capital campaign. He has presented sessions on major gifts, capital campaigns, and diversity, equity and inclusion in advancement at NAIS, CASE, AFP, NJ Associations of Independent Schools and New York State Association of Independent Schools conferences. He recently concluded two terms on the board of trustees of the Caedmon School in Manhattan and currently serves on the faculty of the CASE School Advancement Institute. 

David received a bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in history from Rutgers University.