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Akiba Smith-Francis

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+1 212 519 6214

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Akiba Smith-Francis, based in New York, belongs to Egon Zehnder’s Consumer, Sustainability and Public and Social Sector practices. Within Consumer she focuses on the Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods industries. Akiba is also active in the Supply Chain Officers Practice and does considerable leadership development work, specifically executive coaching.

It is a privilege to be able to identify and support transformational leaders of character. Effective leadership can be a force for good in the world.

Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Akiba was a Director and Partner at leadership advisory firm YSC Consulting. There, she led the Executive Coaching Practice for the Americas and served as a member of the Americas Leadership Team. Before that, she served as a Senior Consultant with The Exetor Group, helping strengthen the integration of people leadership and business impact for long-term organizational success. She began her career at McKinsey & Company before transitioning to brand management at The Clorox Company.

Akiba earned a BA in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard College, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. She also has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPA from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. A sixth generation New Yorker, Akiba has returned to her home city after having lived and worked across the United States and in Central America and the Caribbean.

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Thought Leadership

Thought Leadership by Akiba Smith-Francis

The Next Frontier of Board Diversity

The Next Frontier of Board Diversity

Progress has been made on getting more underrepresented minorities onto corporate boards, but this same level of progress hasn’t translated to committee chair and… Read more

Moving from Board Member to Board Leader

Moving from Board Member to Board Leader

In the last five years, boards in the United States have been more intentional about adding directors from underrepresented minorities. However, that same level… Read more

Transitioning from Board Member to Board Leader

Transitioning from Board Member to Board Leader

25 early service corporate directors and four experienced board leaders talk about how to move from board member to board leader. Read more

Does Your Board Have the Sustainability Expertise It Needs?

Does Your Board Have the Sustainability Expertise It Needs?

A practical guide to determine the right type of sustainability leader for your organization. Read more

How Alibaba’s Tmall is Changing eCommerce in China

How Alibaba’s Tmall is Changing eCommerce in China

Insights for western brands looking for global eCommerce growth in a post-COVID world from Chris Tung, Chief Marketing Officer of Alibaba. Read more

The Sustainability Agenda: More Important—and More Valued—Than Ever

The Sustainability Agenda: More Important—and More Valued—Than Ever

In a time of pandemic and unrest, ESG is more important than ever. Egon Zehnder’s Akiba Smith-Francis interviewed several top ESG executives to find… Read more

Career Advice from Egon Zehnder's Akiba Smith-Francis

Career Advice from Egon Zehnder's Akiba Smith-Francis

Egon Zehnder's Akiba Smith-Francis sat down with CLO Magazine for a Q&A on how she got into the coaching space and the lessons she’s… Read more

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