Jonathan Durfield

Jonathan Durfield is the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for designing, leading, and implementing SMASH’s philanthropic development program through corporate, individual, and foundation partnerships. Jonathan believes that education is the greatest lever for change, especially for those furthest from opportunity, and has over 20 years of impact-driven outcomes within K-16 education.

Prior to joining SMASH, Jonathan founded VEER Ventures in 2020 to support disruptive educational technologies that benefit communities of color, served as vice president of development for the National Math + Science Initiative ($45 million annual budget), successfully launched Nord Anglia Education’s $100 million flagship campus, worked as an associate vice chancellor of Texas’ second largest higher education system, and was the founding director at the Inland Empire Economic Partnership. He obtained a master’s in public administration from Harvard University and a bachelor’s in political science from Pepperdine University.

Jonathan currently lives in Houston, Texas with his wife and two teenage sons. Having studied abroad in Europe and Africa while in college, he is passionate about traveling and experiencing new communities, cuisines, and cultures from all around the world.