Don Smolenski, now in his 28th season with the organization, was named team president in 2012 after originally joining the team in 1998 as chief financial officer. He served as senior vice president, chief financial officer from 2001-10 and then as the team's chief operating officer from 2010-12.
As president, Smolenski directs the club's business and strategic efforts, including sales, marketing, communications, and operations. He has played a key role in significant projects from the construction of Lincoln Financial Field to the club's internationally recognized environmental and philanthropic programs.
Smolenski has infused energy and creativity throughout the organization with his engaging leadership style. In 2024, he was recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Top Workplaces program in the special awards category for leadership and, in 2015, was named to the Most Admired CEOs list by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Under his direction, the Eagles have been a Top Workplace in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024.
Smolenski and the Eagles have celebrated two Super Bowl victories during his time as team president. The Eagles captured their first Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots, 41-33, in Super Bowl LII, followed by a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, in Super Bowl LIX.
In his first year as president, Smolenski spearheaded a two-year, $125 million Lincoln Financial Field revitalization project that added 1,600 seats, HD video boards, and graphics paying tribute to the team's history. In 2019, Smolenski's leadership was instrumental to the Lincoln Financial naming rights extension, which stands as one of the longest stadium naming rights relationships in the NFL. Over the years, Lincoln Financial Field has hosted high-profile events, including sold-out concerts, national and international soccer matches, the NCAA Lacrosse Championships, the Army-Navy Game, the NHL Stadium Series, WrestleMania, Monster Jam, Temple University football, and more. In June 2022, Lincoln Financial Field was selected as a FIFA World Cup 2026 host venue, becoming one of 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico to earn the prestigious honor.
Smolenski plays an important role in the team's environmental initiatives. As a result of their Go Green program, which features the NFL's largest solar array with 10,456 panels, the Eagles have emerged as a leader in environmental stewardship. Lincoln Financial Field is LEED Platinum certified and the Eagles are the first professional sports team to earn ISO 20121 certification.
In 2018, Smolenski helped launch the Eagles Autism Challenge, a oneday bike ride and family-friendly 5K run/walk dedicated to raising funds for cutting-edge autism research and care programs. In 2019, the team's signature fundraising event expanded and led to the formation of the Eagles Autism Foundation, a new charitable endeavor that unified the team's various autism activities into one organization. Through its mission to turn autism awareness into action, the Eagles became one of the first sports franchises to build a state-of-the-art sensory room in its home stadium, have partnered with organizations to help combat the unemployment rate in the autism community, and have even leveraged home games and open practices to drive critical funds. The Eagles Autism Challenge celebrated a record-breaking year in 2025, raising more than $10 million for the cause and bringing the total raised to $40 million-plus since 2018.
As an extension of the team's ongoing inclusion efforts, the Eagles launched the state's first girls' high school flag football league in 2022. The program, which started with 16 schools and now features 1,600 participants throughout the eastern side of Pennsylvania, contributed to the PIAA's decision to designate girls' flag football as an emerging sport in Pennsylvania. In September 2024, history was made when the PIAA declared high school girls' flag football an officially sanctioned sport in the Commonwealth.
Building on Smolenski and the team's support around young female athletes, the Eagles forged a partnership with Operation Warm to address the lack of access to essential sports equipment for girls. It led to the formation of a new sports bra line called FLY:FWD, ensuring girls of all ages and backgrounds are properly outfitted for competition.
In 2013, Smolenski helped launch the Eagles Care initiative, which has fostered strategic partnerships with 30 area-based nonprofits in an effort to help strengthen the core work of each charitable organization.
In addition to his leadership roles within the Eagles organization, Smolenski serves as the PHL Sports Advisory Board Chair, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Corporate Council co-Chair, is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Board and FM Global Advisory Board, and is involved in the city's FIFA World Cup planning efforts as a member of the Philadelphia Soccer 2026 Board.
Smolenski serves as the vice president and treasurer of the Eagles Autism Foundation, as well as treasurer of the Eagles Charitable Foundation, which provides area-based children with greater access to vision care.
Before joining the Eagles, Smolenski served as chief financial officer for the International Hockey League, where he oversaw all league financial matters and played an integral role in growing the league from 12 to 19 teams.
Smolenski began his career as a public accountant with Arthur Andersen.
An outdoor enthusiast, Smolenski has completed the Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Boston Marathons. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Amherst College and a master's degree in accounting from the University of Hartford.
Don and his wife, Karen, have two sons, Jake and Shane.
