Holly Kuzmich

Michael L. Smith Managing Director

Why LEO?

"So many organizations across the country are working to fight poverty–with compassion, conviction, and innovation. And some of our most talented and committed researchers are eager to partner with them to know what’s working. LEO brings those two fields together so that we can be as smart as possible about helping those living in poverty move out of it.

After spending many years in public policy and working alongside non-profits tackling some of the hardest challenges out there, I am inspired by LEO’s approach of marrying rigorous research with a deep commitment to improving lives. The more we can put this evidence into the hands of providers, policymakers, and funders, the bigger the difference we can make in fighting poverty."

Bio

As the Michael L. Smith Managing Director, Holly advances LEO’s vision of learning what works to reduce poverty and putting it into practice. She brings decades of experience in public policy, non-profit leadership, program design, and social entrepreneurship. Holly’s varied leadership roles include serving in the White House, at the U.S. Department of Education, as Executive Director of the Bush Institute, and supporting early-stage organizations as a Managing Director at the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. She is a native of South Bend, comes from a family of Notre Dame graduates, and received her degree from Northwestern University.