Nakia Madry-Smith

Balancing her time between meetings and stages, donning suits, and combat boots, Nakia Madry-Smith represents possibility, and works to inspire the next generation of leaders to expand their vision and reach for the limitless possibilities that an education provides.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Nakia now calls Virginia her home. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Engineering Technology from Hampton University, and Master of Business Administration from Old Dominion University (ODU), eventually expanding her Monarch ties as an administrative professional at her alma mater. Nakia has served in leadership roles with increasing responsibility over her 14-year tenure and is currently Executive Director of ODU’s three Regional Higher Education Centers. She provides leadership and operational oversight for the university’s locations in Hampton, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, connecting educational resources with current and prospective students, and cultivating strategic educational alliances and programs with corporate, government, and community organizations.

A musician since childhood, Nakia continues to pursue her love of music. As a lead singer of The Fuzz Band, she performs regularly, both locally and across the country. She has traveled internationally to perform at private functions for fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger and served on three USO tours to the Middle East, Europe, and the Mediterranean.

An accomplished singer, songwriter and entrepreneur, Nakia provides vocal coaching and mentorship to select youth aspiring to careers in music and theater, providing education and ensuring mental, physical, and emotional preparedness for the rigors of the entertainment industry. She is also creator and bandleader of Rocky 7, sister band to The Fuzz Band. As a member of Pharrell Williams’ Voices of Fire gospel choir, she has performed on The Stephen Colbert Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, BET and Good Morning America, all chronicled in a docuseries on Netflix.