Michael Smith is the Director of the United States government's Social Innovation Fund, a key White House initiative and program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The SIF mobilizes private and public resources to grow community-based nonprofits with evidence of impact. Previously, Michael served as Senior Vice President for Social Innovation at the Case Foundation, where he led social innovation strategy, including investments, programs and partnerships.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)