Meet Kimberly

Hi, I'm Kimberly Smith.

I'm a Laguna Beach mom, technology CEO, and philanthropist running for the LBUSD Board of Education because I believe our schools deserve strong governance, transparent leadership, and an unwavering focus on students.

My husband, Adam, and I chose Laguna Beach because of its schools, its values, and its sense of community. This fall, our daughter will begin sixth grade at Thurston Middle School and our son will start second grade at Top of the World Elementary. Because our children are still young, the future of this district will have a direct impact on our family for many years to come, which is why it is personal to me.

I care deeply about this district. I care about the students who sit in our classrooms, the teachers and staff who show up for them every day, and the other families who have also placed their trust in our schools. 

You will often find me in the bleachers at Riddle Field, on the pool deck for water polo practice, at school performances and fundraisers, or attending school board meetings. Strong schools are built by communities that engage, and showing up has always mattered to me.

Growing up in a family of public servants, I learned early that leadership is ultimately about service. Attending schools across multiple states and internationally has given me an appreciation for different perspectives, communities, and approaches to education. Those experiences have shaped the way I lead today.

Professionally, I serve as CEO of Copia, a venture-backed Public Benefit Corporation operating across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, recognized by Fast Company for innovation in social impact and by Inc. Magazine as one of the nation's Best Places to Work for multiple years. Throughout my career, I have built teams, managed budgets, scaled organizations, and navigated complex challenges. More importantly, I have learned how to bring people together around a shared mission, make difficult decisions, and remain accountable for results.

Beyond my professional work, I serve on the board of Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen and, most recently, Sunsar Maya, both organizations dedicated to serving families, children, and communities. Public service is not a campaign platform for me. It is a core value that has guided my life and career.

When something important needs attention, I believe in stepping forward rather than standing on the sidelines. That belief is a big part of why I decided to run.

Over the past eighteen months, growing concerns about the stability, transparency, and governance of our district led me to become more engaged and ask harder questions about the direction of LBUSD and how major decisions were being made. What I found convinced me that our district needs leaders who are willing to listen, explain their decisions, welcome accountability, and put students ahead of politics and power.

My priorities are straightforward.

Supporting and retaining exceptional teachers and staff, strengthening trust between the district and community, protecting academic excellence, and ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and challenged matter to me.

Every student deserves a pathway that allows them to thrive, whether that path includes advanced academic rigor, the arts, athletics, Career Technical Education, or some combination of all four. One size does not fit all, and our district should continue creating opportunities that meet students where they are while preparing them for wherever they want to go.

One area that deserves much more attention is how LBUSD navigates the opportunities and challenges presented by AI. As a tech executive, I have a firsthand view of how rapidly AI is transforming the world around us. Our students are already using these tools. The question is not whether AI belongs in education, but how we can use it responsibly to enhance learning while preserving critical thinking, creativity, and authentic engagement.

Sustainability is another area where LBUSD has an opportunity to continue leading. To me, sustainability is about stewardship. It means using resources wisely, operating efficiently, reducing waste, and being responsible with taxpayer dollars. It also means teaching students the importance of innovation, responsibility, and caring for the world they will inherit. When done thoughtfully, sustainability benefits both our environment and our community.

I also firmly believe that board members should be accountable and willing to explain the decisions they make on behalf of the community. That should not be viewed as exceptional leadership; it is what should be expected. Good leadership requires more than just strong opinions. It requires curiosity, a willingness to roll up your sleeves, humility, and respect for the people doing the work. Those are principles that have guided me throughout my career and the same principles I would bring to the board.

Laguna Beach has built something extraordinary in LBUSD. Preserving and strengthening it will require steady leadership, thoughtful decision-making, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to putting students at the center of every conversation.

We are not simply managing schools for today. We are serving as stewards of an institution that will shape children, families, and our community for decades to come.

I would be honored to earn your trust and your support.