CAA Appointed Dasha Smith as Chief Operating Officer
The talent agency has hired a veteran executive to oversee operations as it scales its global footprint.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
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Creative Artists Agency has named Dasha Smith as its new Chief Operating Officer. Smith joins the Los Angeles-based firm after holding senior leadership roles at the National Football League and Sony Music Entertainment.
Why it matters
The appointment brings extensive organizational and administrative oversight experience to a major player in the talent and entertainment sector. Smith’s transition reflects a broader shift toward hiring C-suite veterans who have managed complex, cross-functional operations.
Smith brings nearly 10 years of experience from her time at Time Inc., alongside her high-level executive work at the NFL and Sony Music Entertainment. The agency has not yet outlined the specific scope of the new COO role or associated performance targets.
The players
Dasha Smith
An executive with extensive leadership experience in sports and media administration, formerly of the NFL and Sony Music Entertainment.
Creative Artists Agency
A prominent global talent and sports agency based in Los Angeles that represents high-profile individuals and commercial interests.
The details
As the new Chief Operating Officer, Smith will apply her background in administrative and human resources strategy to the agency’s internal operations. Her previous experience includes serving on the NFL Commissioner's Executive Operating Committee and as a Global Chief Human Resources Officer, providing a framework for managing high-growth creative workforces. Smith continues to hold board seats at CAPTRUST and Cohen & Steers.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: CAA announced the appointment of Dasha Smith.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows a documented industry trend of talent agencies hiring enterprise-level executives from mature corporate sectors like sports and music to manage internal growth. It underscores the ongoing professionalization of the entertainment sector as agencies scale their operations.
Operators should watch for potential shifts in the agency’s internal processes or hiring standards, which often follow the appointment of a new operations chief. Reviewing the professional backgrounds of executive-level hires can signal the strategic priorities a competitor is currently testing.
The takeaway
Large-scale talent firms are increasingly importing operational discipline from traditional corporate giants to maintain efficiency. Monitor the public board affiliations of your own senior leadership to track how outside influence impacts internal strategy.
Further reading
For context on how leadership changes shift firm operations, see our People section.
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