Heidi Marquez Smith

Heidi Marquez Smith, is an accomplished community and non-profit leader and experienced public servant, as the CEO of the Texas Cultural Trust, Heidi advances arts and culture for our state through strategic partnerships and initiatives. She leads statewide advocacy efforts, directs research and data collection, advances public and private funding, and increases access to the arts for all Texans. Heidi amplifies the Trust’s mission to be the leading voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state. Through Heidi’s leadership, the Trust has unified the voice for the arts and creative industries in order to shape the cultural, economic and educational future of Texas by increasing awareness and support for the arts.  

Previously, Smith served as executive director of the Texas Book Festival (TBF) for more than 5 years. The TBF is a nonprofit organization, founded by former first lady Laura Bush to celebrate authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination. 

Before returning to Texas in the fall of 2006, Smith worked in Washington DC, where she served as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Cabinet Affairs in the White House. Before her appointment as Director for Cabinet Affairs, Heidi served as Special Assistant to the President and Director for Presidential Correspondence and as Deputy Associate Director in the office of Presidential Personnel where she identified, interviewed, and recommend candidates for presidential appointment to National boards and commissions. 

Smith appreciates the opportunities to be involved in the community in Austin and across Texas. She has served and held executive committee roles of the boards of numerous organizations, including: Futuro Fund Austin, the University of Texas 1883 Council, St. David’s Day School Board Directors, Subiendo Academy, Literacy Council of Central Texas, University of Texas Libraries Advisory Council (ex-officio member), Communities in Schools, Legacy of Giving Blue Sky Luncheon Chair, Texas Lyceum (Alum), The Kindness Campaign – Art of Kindness Chair, Dell Children’s Trust, LBJ Library, and City of Rollingwood. She currently serves on the Texas Tribune Board of Directors, Texas Book Festival Advisory Council, St. David’s Foundation – Toast of the Town Committee, and volunteers with various local organizations, including her children’s schools.

Heidi is a proud graduate from the University of Texas at Austin. She currently lives in Austin, Texas and is the proud mom of three boys.