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Watch videos of Robert F. Smith’s interviews, speeches and panel discussions on topics ranging from his philanthropic goals to uplifting underserved communities and the future of the digital economy.
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Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista), was interviewed by Andrew Ross Sorkin on CNBC’s Squawk Box at the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. In the interview, Smith discussed the success of the EDISON Alliance’s 1 Billion Lives Challenge, a digital inclusion initiative. He also mentioned a forthcoming book, “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Reflection on Dr. King’s Most Powerful Speeches,” a collection of Dr. King’s speeches contextualized with Smith’s personal stories and insights.
Robert F. Smith joined the Reinventing Digital Inclusion panel at the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Moderated by Karen Tso, Co-Anchor and Journalist of CNBC International (Europe), the panelists discussed the success of the EDISON Alliance’s 1 Billion Lives Challenge, the AI for Prosperity and Growth in Africa initiative launched in Davos and how to finance a greater number of technology and AI-focused companies in Africa. They also emphasized the role of Black women entrepreneurs in boosting the digital economies of African countries.
Robert F. Smith was honored as a trailblazer in the investment management industry at the Girls Who Invest (GWI) 2024 Inaugural Gala. In his remarks, he shared how GWI and Vista Equity Partners have worked together for years and will continue to work together to support GWI’s mission to increase the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership roles in the investment management industry.
In an interview with Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore and moderator of the “Bridging the Gap: Unlocking GenAI’s Potential Through Inclusive Access to the Digital Economy” session at the 2024 Singapore FinTech Festival, Robert F. Smith discussed Vista’s investment approach, inclusion of GenAI and how philanthropy can help unleash the human spirit. He also shared his strategy of putting capital behind sustainable and scalable infrastructure to help people overcome social challenges.
Witness the moment during Robert F. Smith’s commencement address where he announced his intention to eliminate the student loan debt of the entire Morehouse College 2019 graduating class. He also shared his five rules to help the graduates seize the American Dream, based on his life experiences.
Robert F. Smith virtually attended “Value. Vision. Voice. Black Men in Leadership Conference 2021.” Smith discussed The 2% Solution and the potential corporations have to create meaningful systemic change.
Robert F. Smith joined NBC’s morning show “Today” to talk about his decision to gift 2,400 students, faculty and staff at Eagle Academies five shares of stock in recently IPO’d Vista Equity Partners companies.
Robert F. Smith virtually attended “Value. Vision. Voice. Black Men in Leadership Conference 2021.” Smith discussed the ability philanthropy gives us to solve problems at scale, specifically pointing to the program Student Freedom Initiative.
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 first video segment, Smith talked about his early influences, such as family and community. Sorrell asked Smith to talk about his personal experiences of racism in America and how that impacted his choices in business and philanthropy.
Robert F. Smith discusses formulating the idea of paying off the entire Morehouse Class of 2019’s student debt and more during “NAIC Insights Live” hosted by Robert L. Greene, President and CEO of the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC).
