Videos
As a businessman, engineer, and philanthropist, Robert F. Smith has been invited to speak on a wide range of issues.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed the importance of learning from exposure. Not everyone has the same opportunities, depending on where they are raised, to learn about every career path available to them. It is crucial that an individual expands their aperture by exposing themselves to a variety of career opportunities.
On October 26, 2023, Robert F. Smith delivered an acceptance speech at the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards. Smith recognized the many other outstanding individuals who received the award. In addition, Smith spoke about his childhood in Denver, CO, and how it inspired him to create windows of opportunity for others, especially in underserved communities. He praised the many often unrecognized Points of Light in his community who helped shape his life and many others.
On August 26, 2023, thousands gathered in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the anniversary celebration, Robert F. Smith delivered a speech that highlighted the ongoing barriers to economic equity that Black Americans face. Smith also urged Black Americans to take action by using their voices, votes and funds to achieve parity.
Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners spoke at the “Value. Vision. Voice. Black Men in Leadership Conference 2021.” During the virtual event Smith answered questions from Executive Leadership Council (ELC) President and CEO Michael C. Hyter. In this video clip, which is the sixth video of a series, Smith fielded questions from conference participants as well as Hyter. Smith’s remarks touched on mentoring, the importance of internships and understanding investments from the point of view of investors.
Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners spoke at the “Value. Vision. Voice. Black Men in Leadership Conference 2021.” During the virtual event Smith answered questions from Executive Leadership Council (ELC) President and CEO Michael C. Hyter. In this video clip, which is the fifth video of a series, Smith describes The 2% Solution and how corporations have the power to effect systemic change in one generation.
Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners spoke at the “Value. Vision. Voice. Black Men in Leadership Conference 2021.” During the virtual event Smith answered questions from Executive Leadership Council (ELC) President and CEO Michael C. Hyter. In this video clip, which is the third video of a series, Smith talks about expertise and risk assessment from the perspective of a business founder.
Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners spoke at the “Value. Vision. Voice. Black Men in Leadership Conference 2021.” In this second video clip of a series, Smith answered questions from Executive Leadership Council (ELC) President and CEO Michael C. Hyter. During the virtual event, Smith spoke about the importance of business ownership and the nature of capitalism.
Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners was interviewed by the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) President and CEO Michael C. Hyter during the “Value. Vision. Voice. Black Men in Leadership Conference 2021.” In this video clip, Hyter asks Smith, an entrepreneur recognized by Forbes on its list of the greatest living business minds, to explain how his formative years in Colorado directed the course of his life. Smith talks about the tight-knit Black community in which he was raised and the values of his own beloved community.
Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital PLC interviewed Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners in April 2021. In this fourth video segment, Smith takes questions from the S4 Capital virtual audience. Topics ranged from “inclusive leadership” to the efficacy of the World Economic Forum.
Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital PLC interviewed Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners in April 2021. In this third video segment the two business founders discuss private and public coordination to provide solutions to reach Black and minority populations with solutions to strengthen the economic future. Sorrell asks Smith to talk about unconscious bias in the workplace, solutions for access to broadband, such as the “Latimer Plan,” and ending student debt.