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 Group naming-rights extension, which ensured that the Eagles would play at Lincoln Financial Field through 2032. 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, Monster Jam, Temple University football, and more.
As part of Smolenski's commitment to offering guests a safe, clean, and friendly experience at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles were credited with a SAFETY Act designation, one of the highest levels of accreditation offered by the United States Department of Homeland Security, in August 2020. One month later, in September 2020, Lincoln Financial Field achieved the distinguished Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation for implementing stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention.
Smolenski plays an important role in the team's environmental initiatives. As a result of their Go Green program, the Eagles have emerged as a leader in environmental stewardship in the sports industry. Those focus areas include conservation efforts, recycling programs, and the use of renewable energy. Under his leadership, Lincoln Financial Field has achieved LEED Gold status, and the organization became the first professional sports team to receive ISO 20121 certification, an international standard designed to help organizations integrate sustainability into management practices and processes.
In 2018, Smolenski helped launch the Eagles Autism Challenge, a one-day bike ride and family-friendly 5K run/walk dedicated to raising funds for cutting-edge autism research and care. 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. In February 2021, the Eagles Autism Foundation eclipsed the $10 million raised mark over its first three years as a result of more than $260,000 having been collected through the Eagles Fan Cutout program during the 2020 season.
In 2013, Smolenski helped launch the Eagles Care initiative which forges annual, strategic partnerships with five local non- profit organizations in an effort to deepen the team's community impact. Since the program's establishment, the team has welcomed 32 charitable organizations to the Eagles Care family.
In addition to his leadership roles within the Eagles organization, Smolenski is the co-chair of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Corporate Council, which is comprised of top executives from the region who believe in the hospital's mission, are committed to advancing its research and clinical priorities, and are dedicated to the health and economic growth of Greater Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Board, the FM Global Advisory Board, and is involved with Leadership Philadelphia, a non-profit organization that promotes leadership and community involvement.
In 2019, Smolenski was appointed chair of the PHL Sports Advisory Board. PHL Sports is a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), which brings together the area sports community to attract major events to Philadelphia. In 2017, in partnership with PHL Sports, Smolenski assisted in bringing the NFL Draft back to Philadelphia for the first time since 1961.
Smolenski serves as the treasurer of the team's public charity, Eagles Charitable Foundation, which provides children in the Philadelphia region 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 the expansion of the league. Through the development of expansion models and the analysis of league performance models, Smolenski saw the league grow from 12 to 19 teams.
Smolenski began his professional career as a public accountant with Arthur Andersen.
An outdoor enthusiast, Smolenski enjoys an active lifestyle and has completed the Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Boston Marathons. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Amherst College and holds a Master of Science degree in accounting. Don and his wife, Karen, have two sons, Jake and Shane.
