Catherine Smith 71F

She recently served as the Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for eight years. In this capacity, she spearheaded efforts to generate economic activity and expansion of business presence in the state.

Prior to her service as Commissioner of the DECD, Catherine gained a depth of industry experience at ING and Aetna. Through 17 years at Aetna she held various leadership roles in investments and investor relations, as well as strategy and communication. Her tenure culminated as chief financial officer for Aetna Financial Services before transitioning to ING.

In a decade at ING, Catherine held a series of roles running several U.S. business units, including president of defined contribution distribution, chief operations officer for ING U.S. Financial Services, and CEO roles for ING U.S. Retail Group and ING U.S. Financial Services. She retired from ING in 2011 as CEO of ING U.S. Retirement Services.

Catherine is Chair of the board of Outward Bound USA and is a member of the board of Global Atlantic Financial Services.

She is a graduate of Hampshire College and received her Master of Public and Private Management from Yale University.