Catherine Smith

Catherine Smith is the former Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the lead state agency responsible for attracting and retaining businesses and jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods and communities, and fostering appropriate development in Connecticut’s towns and cities. Governor Dannel Malloy appointed her to the position in 2011.

Prior to joining DECD, Smith had a distinguished career in the insurance and financial services industry. She began her career at Aetna and held various management positions, including chief financial officer for Aetna Financial Services, chief operating officer for ING U.S. Financial Services and CEO of the U.S. Insurance businesses. In 2008 Smith was named CEO of ING U.S. Retirement Services (now Voya), one of the largest defined contribution plan managers in the United States that managed more than $280 billion in assets during her tenure.

Smith is currently a member of the board of directors of the Global Atlantic Financial Group as well as Hampshire College. She graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst Massachusetts, and received a Master’s degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Connecticut.