The Board of Directors of Camber announced that it has named Renita E. Smith as co-CEO. She joins Emily Newman at the helm of the membership-based organization.
Smith brings to Camber more than two decades of strategic leadership experience spanning corporate and nonprofit sectors, including an understanding of how to engage multicultural consumers, audiences and communities. In her most recent role as Camber’s chief programs officer, Smith “envisioned and operationalized an interactive, engaging suite of actionable resources to empower partners to build DEI workplaces,” said Camber.
Prior to joining Camber, Smith founded Principles Marketing, a strategic consultancy business focused on “building purpose-driven brands for superior performance and social impact.” Notable projects included work with Microsoft, the Los Angeles Urban League, health systems, and venture-backed healthcare companies.”
Smith began her career in consumer marketing at General Mills and was honored with its Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Performance. Smith holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Stanford University and a Master’s of Business Administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
“I am energized to take on the co-CEO role at a pivotal moment for industry leaders to transform workplaces so that people from all communities, backgrounds, identities, faiths, and worldviews can thrive. Our new leadership model will allow us to take action that is commensurate with the scale of this opportunity. Together with Emily and our Camber Partners, I look forward to building workplaces that engage a broader pool of talent to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse consumer base. Camber is poised to be a catalyst and a model for meaningful and measurable systems change in our industry and in our society as a whole,” Smith said.
“I could not be more excited to be standing together with Renita, and the outstanding Camber team and Board of Directors, to make our community and companies stronger. Inclusive, equitable and diverse workplaces are vital to the future of the Outdoor Recreation Economy. Our new co-CEO structure is truly an example of one plus one equals three—we can go further, faster, together,” Newman said.
Photos courtesy Camber, Renita E. Smith
