CAA Hires NFL Executive Dasha Smith as New Chief Operating Officer

Dasha Smith has joined Creative Artists Agency as chief operating officer, moving to the talent agency from the National Football League where she served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

Transition from League Operations to Agency Leadership

Smith takes on day-to-day operational responsibilities at CAA after working as a top deputy to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. While at the league, she sat on the Executive Operating Committee and managed technology, artificial intelligence and innovation, data and analytics, strategy and business intelligence, human resources, inclusion, social responsibility, philanthropy, and league office administration. CAA co-chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd noted that Smith brings a deep understanding of how global organizations operate.

Dasha is a remarkably talented, accomplished and energetic leader with a deep understanding of how global organizations operate at their very best, Lourd said in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.

Before her tenure at the NFL, Smith worked as executive vice president and global chief human resources officer for Sony Music Entertainment. Her resume also includes a stint as managing director of the office of the chairman at alternative investment firm GCM Grosvenor, alongside nearly ten years at Time Inc. leading global employee relations and employment law. She began her legal career as an attorney at Latham & Watkins, Covington & Burling, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

Smith Holds Trustee Positions for Nonprofit Organizations

She also holds trustee positions for nonprofit organizations focused on education and the arts.

Even greater is my appreciation for its widely admired, consistent mission to deliver the best possible service and resources to its clients, Smith stated regarding her new position at the agency.