Diallo Smith

As a native Detroiter, Diallo Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Life Remodeled, understands the challenges and opportunities that the city possesses. With deep roots in the community, he recognizes the importance of revitalization and is on a mission to transform the city into thriving communities, one neighborhood at a time. With a team just as passionate as him, Diallo’s leadership guides the organization in repurposing vacant buildings into one-stop hubs of opportunity, serving tens of thousands of students and community members each year.  

Diallo has over 20 years of experience in coordinating, planning and implementing projects through completion that translate into enhanced customer satisfaction, increased revenue, cost efficiency and creating an environment of growth for the organization and the people it serves.

Diallo is a graduate of Cass Technical High School. He went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance at Wilberforce University in Ohio and a Master’s of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. His financial expertise led him to careers at ExxonMobil, BP Amoco and IBM Consulting until he decided to return home to Detroit where he founded and was a small business owner of Drive Ping Pong Bar & Grille. His passion for creating equity and providing opportunity in Detroit then led him to the work he does now with Life Remodeled.

As CEO, Diallo oversees day-to-day operations with a focus on its fiscal health and its responsibilities to the growing communities the organization serves. He brings stakeholders together to engage in a healthy back-and-forth and find their common language.

Diallo and his wife, Dr. Jameel Smith, enjoy live music, exploring new restaurants and raising their two children. They are both native Detroiters with a passion for serving and giving back to the city and people they love.