Smith to Lead David G. Kabiller NU For Life Program
2/24/2022 1:00:00 PM | David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program
EVANSTON, Ill.– 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, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg announced Thursday.
"While she has been a part of the Northwestern community for years, we are ecstatic to welcome Kate to our Athletics & Recreation family," said Gragg. "Her experiences as a student-athlete, in corporate America, and on campus allow her to understand and relate to our Wildcats in so many valuable ways. Choosing to attend Northwestern is not just a four-year decision, it's a forty-year decision, and Kate's leadership will allow us to take the Kabiller NU For Life Program to new heights in preparing our student-athletes for success long after graduation."
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.
"I'm grateful to Dr. Gragg, Janna Blais, David Kabiller and the entire Athletics & Recreation leadership team for this incredible opportunity to positively impact our Wildcats," Smith said. "Student-athletes come to Evanston to compete at the absolute highest level of college athletics and build a foundation for lifelong success. Northwestern's commitment to intentionally and thoughtfully support the professional development process for our student-athletes is unmatched and the reason I was so drawn to the David G.Kabiller NU for Life Program. I am excited to join the team and cannot wait to engage with our exceptional student-athletes, alumni, the professional community and the Northwestern Athletics and Recreation family, as I have both experienced and witnessed the transformational impact this community has on the lives of our students."
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.
"While she has been a part of the Northwestern community for years, we are ecstatic to welcome Kate to our Athletics & Recreation family," said Gragg. "Her experiences as a student-athlete, in corporate America, and on campus allow her to understand and relate to our Wildcats in so many valuable ways. Choosing to attend Northwestern is not just a four-year decision, it's a forty-year decision, and Kate's leadership will allow us to take the Kabiller NU For Life Program to new heights in preparing our student-athletes for success long after graduation."
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.
"I'm grateful to Dr. Gragg, Janna Blais, David Kabiller and the entire Athletics & Recreation leadership team for this incredible opportunity to positively impact our Wildcats," Smith said. "Student-athletes come to Evanston to compete at the absolute highest level of college athletics and build a foundation for lifelong success. Northwestern's commitment to intentionally and thoughtfully support the professional development process for our student-athletes is unmatched and the reason I was so drawn to the David G.Kabiller NU for Life Program. I am excited to join the team and cannot wait to engage with our exceptional student-athletes, alumni, the professional community and the Northwestern Athletics and Recreation family, as I have both experienced and witnessed the transformational impact this community has on the lives of our students."
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.
Northwestern | Class of 2020
Friday, June 19
NU For Life Promo Video 2015
Friday, November 20
A Look Inside: NU for Life
Tuesday, June 30
