Meredith Smith receives ‘Forty Under 40’ award

‌

A. Sue Weisler

Meredith Smith, associate vice president for Government and Community Relations

Rochester Institute of Technology’s Meredith Smith, associate vice president for Government and Community Relations, was named a member of the 19^th annual Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 class of 2013. The award honors professionals under the age of 40 for their leadership within their workplace and the greater community.

Smith, of Perinton, began her career at RIT in 2010 as the director of state and local government relations. In her current position, she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that will build and enhance RIT’s relationships with government officials and community partners. During her time at RIT, she has played a key role in the university’s legislative advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels and also serves as the RIT staff liaison for the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.

“Meredith has added tremendous capability and depth to our organization,” says RIT President Bill Destler. “The Forty Under 40 recognition is an important validation of the hard work that she has dedicated to everything she has done at RIT and also to her work in the community.”Smith has taken on several leadership roles with organizations in the Rochester community, including Leadership Rochester, the Women’s Council of the Rochester Business Alliance, Rochester Rotary and the Henrietta Chamber of Commerce.

“I am thrilled that Meredith is receiving this recognition, and very proud of her accomplishments as a member of the RIT community,” says Deborah Stendardi, vice president for Government and Community Relations. “She is an exemplary professional who is highly regarded both within RIT and in the greater Rochester community. Being recognized by this prestigious honor is a well-deserved tribute to her expertise, dedication and commitment.”

Smith will receive her award at a luncheon at noon Nov. 21 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.