Cori Smith
Cori Smith, M.A., is the Founder and Executive Director of Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry, a Memphis-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing diaper need and supporting families with essential resources. Inspired by her own experience as a new mother facing financial hardship, Cori launched the organization in 2014 as a grassroots diaper drive. What began as a single act of giving has grown into a vital community initiative, distributing millions of diapers and expanding to include infant formula, feminine hygiene products, and senior care items. Under her leadership, the organization has become a trusted resource for families across the Mid-South.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Cori serves as a Financial Secretary with Shelby County Schools, where she supports administrative operations and financial management. Her professional background spans marketing, sales, operations, and customer service, with a strong emphasis on strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and stakeholder communication. Known for her attention to detail and ability to manage complex responsibilities, she consistently demonstrates professionalism, adaptability, and a results-driven approach in both her corporate and community work.
Cori is a passionate advocate for underserved communities and an active leader in civic engagement efforts, including national advocacy to end diaper need. She holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis. Beyond her professional roles, she is committed to mentorship, volunteerism, and community building, having served in leadership positions with organizations such as Girl Scouts of the USA and alumni associations. Cori’s work reflects a deep commitment to service, resilience, and creating sustainable impact for families in need.
• University of Memphis
• University of Phoenix
• Spirit of Service Award
• Sisterhood Award
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated
• Sorority Member of the Year
• National Panhellenic Council
• 40 under 40
• Community Hero Award
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated
• Junior League of Memphis
• National Diaper Bank Network
• Alliance for Period Supply
• Girl Scouts of the USA
• University of Phoenix
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges facing nonprofits are really twofold. First is just not knowing what to expect. I call it ignorance, and when I say that, I mean you don't know what to expect until it happens. Some people don't know they're supposed to do certain things, and so they give up. The second major challenge is funding. A lot of people think that when you start a nonprofit, money just starts flowing, but that doesn't happen. It's like begging for support from your politicians at the local, state, and federal level, and from your community, getting them to buy into your mission. You have to answer why should someone donate to your mission over someone else's mission. And if you're not getting funding and you're trying to do all this work, some people just get burned out and it's like, you know what, it's not worth it. I want to do this but I don't have any support. I think those are the two main reasons why a lot of nonprofits fail within the first five years. What has set us apart is that we're actually giving a tangible item, not just a service. I think when individual donors want to give to organizations, they want something that's going back into the community. Another thing that sets us apart is our volunteer model. We could give the diapers out exactly how they come in, but because we break them down and repackage them, we need volunteers. This means our mission gets sent out further. I always say, we would love for you to come volunteer and see what we do, that way you know exactly how your money is getting spent and where it's going. People can actually come to us, see what we do, see the families we're helping firsthand, and then they're like, yes, I love what you guys do, I would love to support you.