Early Life and Education
Ryan Smith was born in Eugene, Oregon, in 1978. He grew up in a family rooted in both business and academia. His father, Scott Smith, was a university professor, and his mother, Nancy, earned a Ph.D. in information systems. Smith attended Brigham Young University (BYU)'s Marriott School of Business, where he founded Qualtrics with his father and brother. He later returned to BYU and completed his degree in 2016.
Rise to Success
In 2002, Ryan Smith co-founded Qualtrics with his father, Scott, and his brother, Jared. The company initially developed tools for creating and analyzing customer feedback surveys. Under Smith's leadership, Qualtrics expanded into a comprehensive, cloud-based platform for employee, customer, and brand experience management, serving over 18,000 customers worldwide by 2019. The company achieved unicorn status in 2017 and was acquired by SAP in 2018 for $8 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Smith's key business strategies included focusing on customer experience and building a strong company culture. He emphasized the importance of immediate feedback to improve products. He also prioritized a balanced approach to work and life, carefully structuring his time to ensure he could excel in both areas. In October 2020, Smith led a group to acquire the Utah Jazz NBA team for $1.66 billion.
Philanthropy
Ryan Smith is known for his philanthropic efforts and community involvement. He has donated millions of dollars to various charitable organizations and educational institutions. In 2025, he co-launched HXCO, a $1 billion venture fund focused on sports, media, and entertainment.