Dr. David Renz is the Beth K. Smith/Missouri Chair in Nonprofit Leadership and the Director of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership. David teaches and conducts research on nonprofit and public service leadership and governance, and he helps organizations develop programs to strengthen quality, innovation, and effectiveness. Much of David's work focuses on helping organizations and communities design and successfully implement major change and development initiatives.

During his career, David has served in several senior executive positions in state and regional government. He served for five years as the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities, and spent six years serving as Assistant Commissioner for Administration for the State of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Renz's career experience also includes major research and development projects for foundation, university, government and private sector sponsors. David has worked with and for nonprofit and public service organizations in many capacities. In addition to extensive consulting work, he has served on several state government advisory councils and groups, as an officer and board member for nonprofits and voluntary associations, including service on boards and advisory committees at local, regional and national levels.