Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient and former Kellogg School of Management leader Kate Smith has been named Assistant A.D. for the David G. Kabiller NU For Life Program in March 2022.
Smith takes the reins of the Wildcats industry-leading professional development program for student-athletes following nearly a decade of experience in Evanston as Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Her leadership tenure helped the world-renowned business school, from which she also earned her MBA, increase both the quality and diversity of its student population.
Prior to Kellogg, Smith was a senior director of marketing for Gatorade, one of several leadership roles she held over a 14-year career working for some of the biggest consumer brands in America at P&G, General Mills, and PepsiCo.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, she had a decorated career on the Illini women's basketball team, serving as a captain and earning three Academic All-Big Ten awards as well as the Big Ten Medal of Honor, the Conference's most prestigious recognition. She also won the University's Illini Spirit Award during her senior campaign, given annually to one female student-athlete who best exemplifies spirit.
The David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program is dedicated to providing opportunities for Wildcats to explore professional possibilities by capitalizing on the knowledge and network of former student-athletes, friends of Northwestern Athletics and companies looking to invest in the most talented recent graduates. Since its inception, the program's four-year curriculum is designed to equip Wildcats with the resources necessary to excel professionally immediately upon completion of their athletic careers and for years to come.
Smith takes the reins of the Wildcats industry-leading professional development program for student-athletes following nearly a decade of experience in Evanston as Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Her leadership tenure helped the world-renowned business school, from which she also earned her MBA, increase both the quality and diversity of its student population.
Prior to Kellogg, Smith was a senior director of marketing for Gatorade, one of several leadership roles she held over a 14-year career working for some of the biggest consumer brands in America at P&G, General Mills, and PepsiCo.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, she had a decorated career on the Illini women's basketball team, serving as a captain and earning three Academic All-Big Ten awards as well as the Big Ten Medal of Honor, the Conference's most prestigious recognition. She also won the University's Illini Spirit Award during her senior campaign, given annually to one female student-athlete who best exemplifies spirit.
The David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program is dedicated to providing opportunities for Wildcats to explore professional possibilities by capitalizing on the knowledge and network of former student-athletes, friends of Northwestern Athletics and companies looking to invest in the most talented recent graduates. Since its inception, the program's four-year curriculum is designed to equip Wildcats with the resources necessary to excel professionally immediately upon completion of their athletic careers and for years to come.