Courtney Smith

Courtney Smith is a nonprofit leader and nationally recognized advocate advancing solutions at the intersection of youth homelessness, equity, and community well-being. As founder and CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center, she leads a model that partners with young people to access housing, education, workforce opportunities, and essential resources while building pathways for leadership and long-term stability. Her work bridges direct service and systems change, positioning youth as partners in shaping policy and reimagining community response to crisis. She has been recognized by the Detroit NAACP with the Great Expectations Award and named 2025 Detroiter of the Year, a Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and one of the Most Powerful Women in Michigan. Smith holds a master’s in industrial-organization psychology from Harvard University and a bachelor’s in sociology from Eastern Michigan University.