Sharetta Smith

Sharetta Smith is the 59th Mayor of Lima, making history as the city's first woman and African American chief executive. Committed to safe neighborhoods, economic growth, youth recreation, quality housing, and efficient city operations, she began her tenure by making government more accessible and responsive.

A proud daughter of Lima, Mayor Smith grew up in the Greenfield Heights neighborhood and graduated from Perry High School. She worked in the private sector managing contracts before transitioning to public service as a public defender. She later served six terms as a Magistrate Judge before returning home to become Chief of Staff to former Mayor David Berger.

In that role, she helped secure Opportunity Zone designations to attract investment, led the creation of the Lima Housing Task Force, collaborated on afterschool programs for middle schoolers, and established the city’s first Chief Technology Officer position to modernize city services.

As Mayor, she continues tackling Lima’s biggest challenges. She is strengthening citizen engagement, expanding opportunities for small businesses, increasing homeownership, and addressing crime through prevention, intervention, and enforcement.

Mayor Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo, a Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Law from Ohio Northern in 2021 and is a graduate of the Ohio State University John Glenn School of Public Affairs Public Leadership Academy.