Leslie Smith, a native Mississippian, serves as the Executive Director for the Omaha Municipal Land Bank, where she leads the organization’s efforts to create pathways for stimulating the local economy by addressing systemic vacancy issues at its core. Prior to joining the OMLB team, she worked for Truist Bank where she analyzed CRA and Fair Lending performance data to develop inclusive lending mortgage strategies that positively impact inclusive lending activities throughout Truist’s digital footprint. Smith brings to Omaha, former land banking experience as launched many of the foundational programs of the Blight Authority Memphis, Inc. (BAM), a quasi-governmental nonprofit that became a full-scale operational landbank serving the city of Memphis under her leadership. With a passion for improving all residents’ quality of life regardless of their zip code, Smith looks to bring her national network, cross-sector expertise, and collective experience to drive momentum while addressing vacant and abandoned properties at the root.