Michael Smith

Michael founded and operated media and real estate businesses and enjoyed an extensive career as a global touring DJ. He has orchestrated numerous environmental initiatives and is an active impact investor.

Early on, Michael managed marketing and digital platforms for Smith Broadcasting, a group of 20 network TV stations later acquired by Boston Ventures. From there, he followed a lifelong passion to become a touring DJ, performing alongside Guns N Roses, Rihanna, and Diplo. In 2006, Michael launched The Playlist Generation now found in over 10,000 retail locations. In 2010, he co-founded Creative Space, responsible for 80 real estate re-use projects in LA & SF.

In 2015, after successfully exiting both companies, Michael formed Ponvalley as an environmental initiative with philanthropic, research, and impact investing practices. Immediately following the 2016 election, he assembled an emergency climate summit with Former VP Al Gore, Gen. Wesley Clark, the Dept. of Energy, and Harvard leadership. Michael currently advises PVBLIC Foundation, the American Renewable Energy Institute, the Sustainable Change Alliance, and Salk Institute’s Harnessing Plants Initiative. He also served as a Venture Fellow at UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School.