Leadership
Learn more about our CEO and leadership’s backgrounds to see how they drive for great impact across the medical field.
Ian F. Smith
Interim Chief Executive Officer & Director
Ian F. Smith is the interim chief executive officer of Stoke Therapeutics. He has served as a member of Stoke’s Board of Directors since September 2023.
Ian is a biotechnology leader who has spent most of his career focused on delivering life-changing medicines to patients with rare diseases. He has extensive experience as a biopharma executive with a strong focus on breakthrough medicines. Ian previously served as executive vice president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals between 2001 and 2019. Prior to 2001, he was a partner in the Life Science and Technology Practice of the accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP. Ian currently serves as executive chairman of the board at Solid Biosciences and chairman of the board at Rivus Pharmaceuticals. He also sits on the Board of Directors for Foghorn Therapeutics, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Areteia Therapeutics, iVexSol, and Odyssey Therapeutics.
Ian holds a B.A. with honors in accounting and finance from Manchester Metropolitan University (UK).