Rhonda Scott Smith

Rhonda Scott Smith is a highly accomplished financial executive currently serving as the chief financial officer (CFO) and deputy director for the Houston Police Department (HPD). In this role, she oversees the department’s annual $1 billion budget and manages all financial operations, reporting directly to the Chief of Police. With over 30 years of extensive experience in finance, accounting, auditing, and leadership, Rhonda has made significant contributions to both large municipal organizations and public corporations.

Before joining HPD, Rhonda held key leadership positions, including executive director for the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System (HMEPS) and deputy director for the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. During her tenure at HPD, she was instrumental in securing increased funding to ensure business continuity amid the uncertainties of 2020-2021. She also spearheaded the Transformational Cultural Change program, fostering a positive cultural shift among employees. Her implementation of new financial policies and reporting methods, coupled with the utilization of advanced financial tools, has optimized business growth and improved stakeholder alignment, resulting in enhanced efficiency and timely decision-making.

From 2008 to 2016, Rhonda served as the executive director for HMEPS, where she reported to an 11-member board of directors. She successfully implemented new investment strategies, established best practices, and achieved top-tier annual returns, even during the recession, as ranked by the Wilshire 5000 index. Rhonda also launched a comprehensive rebranding campaign for HMEPS, introducing new logos and a revamped website, supported by effective communication strategies involving various groups and sessions. She further enhanced board governance oversight through fiduciary training for internal directors, industry peer groups, and other small municipal pension funds, earning certification for best practices from a third-party auditing firm.

Rhonda began her career as an auditor for Deloitte and Touche (now Deloitte) and served as an internal auditor for Occidental Petroleum. She is recognized as an accomplished financial and pension expert, offering guidance in investment best practices, pension reform, and board governance. Currently, Rhonda holds the position of Independent Director and Audit Committee Member for Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. and Kayne DL. She also serves as a trustee and board secretary for HMEPS and is a member of the Advisory Board of AIF Global. Additionally, Rhonda is actively involved with the Girls Scouts San Jacinto, serving on their board development committee.

Her outstanding contributions to the field have earned her several accolades, including the Women on the Move award from Texas Executive Women and the Women Who Mean Business award from the Houston Business Journal. Rhonda’s areas of expertise encompass a wide range of financial and management skills, including financial reporting, strategic investment planning, portfolio risk assessment, bargaining and contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, business continuity planning and execution, board governance, auditing, accounting, leadership development, and change management.

Rhonda holds an MBA in finance and management from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University. She currently resides in Houston, Texas, and in her personal time enjoys angel investing and traveling with her family. Rhonda is also a board director at St. Luke’s Healthcare System, a former Girl Scout Director, and a board director at One Delta Plaza Educational Center Foundation. She is married, has three adult children, and is the GiGi of twin boys.