Nate Smith Appointed VP & Chief AI Officer at WoodmenLife
WoodmenLife is pleased to announce the appointment of Nate Smith as Vice President & Chief AI Officer.
The Chief AI Officer role is a newly established leadership position at WoodmenLife, created to guide the organization’s AI strategy.
Smith joined WoodmenLife in 2012 as Applications Development Manager. In his 14-year career, Smith has held several positions, including his most recent role as Chief Data Officer.
As Chief AI Officer, Smith will lead the development and implementation of AI usage across WoodmenLife. He will be responsible for establishing AI governance frameworks, identifying and prioritizing AI use cases, collaborating closely with executive leadership to embed AI into core business processes, and overseeing the consolidated AI and Data organization, encompassing Data, Data Analytics, Data Science, and AI Engineering functions.
“AI presents an incredible opportunity for WoodmenLife — not just to modernize how we operate, but to reimagine how we support members throughout their lives,” Smith said. “I’m excited to help guide that journey in a way that’s intentional, responsible, and true to who we are as an organization.”
WoodmenLife President & CEO Denise M. McCauley praised Smith’s leadership qualities during his WoodmenLife career.
“Throughout his tenure, Nate has played a pivotal role in establishing our enterprise data governance, modernizing our technology landscape, and advancing innovation across the organization,” McCauley said. “I am confident in his abilities to guide WoodmenLife’s enterprise-wide AI strategy.”
Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Management of Information Systems and his Master of Business Administration from Bellevue University. He is a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer and Microsoft Certified Trainer.
Smith is a member of Chapter 16 in Omaha, NE, and enjoys volunteering at the Food Bank for the Heartland and Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife, Heather, have four children and three grandchildren.