Mayor Lurie Appoints Sherrice Dorsey-Smith as Executive Director of San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today appointed Sherrice Dorsey-Smith as executive director of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF). Dorsey-Smith is a longtime public servant, with nearly two decades of service to San Francisco’s youth and families. She has been leading DCYF as acting executive director and will continue to work alongside Mayor Lurie to deliver for and empower the next generation of San Franciscans.

“For nearly two decades, Sherrice Dorsey-Smith has been working to improve the lives of San Francisco’s young people and their families as part of DCYF,” said Mayor Lurie. “As she takes on this role permanently, Sherrice will bring deep knowledge of the department that she will lead and a commitment to serving and empowering the kids and families of our city. I look forward to working with her to create opportunities for our city’s kids and their families.”

"I am deeply honored and excited to continue serving San Francisco as DCYF’s executive director. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to and learn from every part of this department’s work, alongside the incredible people in our city who make it happen every day,” said DCYF Executive Director Sherrice Dorsey-Smith. “I’m ready and committed to lead DCYF forward, building on our strong foundation to support our children, youth, and families, and to continue making San Francisco a great place to grow up."

“We are so excited for Director Dorsey-Smith! Sherrice has been a lifelong champion and advocate for the children and youth of San Francisco. She has run programs on the ground, been an amazing DCYF staff person and led all of us service providers through Covid withinspiration and grace,” said Misha Olivas, United Playaz Director of Community and Family Engagement. “In a world and time of growing uncertainty, it gives us great confidence that DCYF will be led by someone who knows the existing landscape. DirectorDorsey-Smith knows how to dream and inspire service providers as she leads our collective work efficiently and effectively into the future with an eye always on positive growth for the best outcomes for city kids.”

“I have worked with Sherrice over the last 17 years, and I cannot think of anyone more qualified and committed to ensuring that our children, youth and families thrive in San Francisco,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. “She is strong in every area of leadership, and I look forward to continuing to see the growth of the department and more importantly our families.”

"Sherrice Dorsey-Smith has dedicated herself to the work of caring for our children, youth and their families for almost two decades, demonstrating not only her vast experience but also her commitment to the health and wellness of our young people,” said District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan. “I thank Mayor Lurie for appointing her to this role, leading such critical city department, impacting families citywide. I am proud of what she has accomplished to date, and I look forward how she will lead the department for the betterment of our communities.”

Sherrice Dorsey-Smith has been with the DCYF since 2007. She began her time as a program specialist, working closely with grantees to provide direct support and guidance and launching DCYF’s technical assistance and capacity building initiative. Dorsey-Smith went on to lead DCYF’s program, planning, and grants division, facilitate the citywide inclusion collaborative bringing together partners to work towards providing opportunities for youth with disabilities, and lead the community hubs initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic which led to her receiving the 2022 San Francisco Good Government Award.

Most recently, Dorsey-Smith served as DCYF’s chief of staff, providing leadership for the department’s grantmaking and managing essential partnerships with community-based organizations. Under Sherrice’s leadership, DCYF has implemented key initiatives including the literacy and math school pilot, summer together, and the student success fund. Prior to her tenure at DCYF, Dorsey-Smith was a leader in the youth development field in San Francisco and Oakland, where she worked with programs committed to youth empowerment and social change.