Before the 2026-27 academic year, William Peace University welcomed two influential leaders to its Board of Trustees: Josh Smith, chief financial officer (CFO) at Element451, and Doug Warf, senior advisor for business engagement to N.C. Governor Josh Stein. Their distinct backgrounds in business and finance will bring diverse perspectives and approaches to the Board as the University enters a pivotal new chapter under President Jennifer Walsh’s leadership. Smith and Warf were appointed to 3-year terms that began on July 1, 2026.
Board Chair Rob Wood described the process for selecting new members as a rigorous system of recommendations and strategic vetting to ensure Peace brings the most driven leaders with varied industry expertise to the table.
“As a governing board, you need people who understand how business works and have a clear vision for supporting the University,” he said. “You’re trying to find someone whose talents align with the University’s needs and who truly believes in the mission. Both Josh and Doug embodied those criteria. They want to see Peace succeed and aren’t just driven by personal aspirations.”
Josh Smith: Bridging Business and Higher Education
Smith began his finance career in Chicago, where he developed an interest in entrepreneurship, start-up tech companies, and financial leadership. He moved to Raleigh with his wife and son when he became CFO of an online IT training software company. This role ultimately led him to become CFO at Element451, a leading student engagement platform for colleges and universities. Wood personally recommended Smith to serve on the Board, citing his connection to the higher education industry and proven financial clarity.
“Rob told me we needed more finance and accounting expertise on the Board, and I knew it would be a great opportunity to better understand what’s going on in the higher ed industry and the challenges we’re facing directly from an institution like Peace,” Smith said. “I’m excited to give back, learn more about this industry, meet some great people, and hopefully help the institution during this chapter in its history.”
Smith said he’s excited to leverage his background and experience to guide Peace’s trajectory under President Walsh’s leadership.
“There are many challenges small privates face, but I think Peace has lots of opportunity, and the last few years have shown that,” he said. “It’s a great location with a beautiful campus, and we have a promising new president leading a dynamic, dedicated leadership team. I see this through my CFO business lens, where we face challenges and need to maintain a sustainable long-term business model. What will we invest in to attract more students, retain them longer, and strengthen the institution overall? I’m eager to help figure that out.”
On a personal level, Smith sees his experience reflected in Peace’s student population and is excited to connect with the campus community beyond advising business operations.
“I paid my way through college; I was on Pell Grants — so I definitely see a lot of myself in them,” he said. “I hope to get to know the students, whether through mock interviews, internship opportunities, or campus activities. I want to know them better and be a mentor to them during their time at Peace.”
Doug Warf: Connecting Business, Community, and Campus
Before joining the Office of the Governor, Warf served as President of the Carolina Hurricanes, overseeing the business operations of the NHL team and the Lenovo Center. In his new role with Governor Josh Stein, Warf builds relationships with businesses across the state, learns their needs, and brings those insights back to the Governor as the team makes decisions that affect businesses ranging from small companies to Fortune 500 firms. That experience, along with his hometown connection to downtown Raleigh, prepared him well for this role.
“I’ve been around Peace for a long time,” he said. “I’ve lived in three houses, all within a mile of campus. I see Peace as a crown jewel of downtown Raleigh. It adds vibrancy and life to the downtown community and provides job training and career preparation for essential jobs. Smaller colleges and universities face challenges, and I think it’s important we all work to keep these vibrant parts of our community active.”
The main focus of Warf’s tenure on the Board will be growth and what that looks like for Peace strategically. After meeting President Walsh for the first time, he felt confident about joining the board ahead of her first academic year.
“I am really impressed with Dr. Walsh and her vision for the next several years,” Warf said. “Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing Peace continue to grow in different ways, from expanding to diversifying our offerings. I want to make sure we’re keeping up with market demand for job opportunities and students, and finding new ways to elevate Peace above other small private universities and differentiate ourselves in the market.”
