Recognized for her ability to balance high-level oversight with hands-on involvement throughout her 15-year tenure with the Columbus, Ohio, branch of City Wide Facility Solutions, Lisa Marie Poppovich Smith has distinguished herself as a leader who fosters a dynamic workplace culture. In her current role as chief operating officer since 2023, she guides a core leadership team that includes the director of people, vice president of commercial solutions, controller and director of development and marketing. In this capacity, Ms. Poppovich Smith has adopted a nontraditional approach, seamlessly blending visionary strategy with integrative execution. Her daily responsibilities encompass mentoring her direct reports and collaborating with her team to ensure operational excellence.
First joining the Columbus branch of City Wide Facility Solutions in 2011 as a sales associate, Ms. Poppovich Smith supported the organization’s owner while learning the intricacies of business operation. Her experience as a sales executive from 2012 to 2015 focused on contract janitorial and floor care solutions, giving her the opportunity to demonstrate her aptitude for identifying client needs and delivering tailored solutions. Between 2015 and 2019, she advanced through positions as sales manager and senior sales executive, proving herself instrumental in developing sales strategies and managing key client relationships.
Immediately before being promoted to her current role, Ms. Poppovich Smith served as general manager at City Wide Facility Solutions, during which time she propelled the company’s growth at an unprecedented rate. Under her leadership, the Columbus, Ohio, market consistently achieved platinum status by meeting the benchmark of $1 million in year-over-year growth. This distinction is reserved for the top 13 markets among the 119 areas in which City Wide Facility Solutions operates across the United States and Canada. Ms. Poppovich Smith also secured the number one position in contract sales in 2018, a milestone that stands as her most significant professional accomplishment. Even after transitioning from this position, she continues to mentor teams beyond her immediate purview, reflecting her dedication to the company’s ongoing success.
Prior to her extensive tenure with City Wide Facility Solutions, Ms. Poppovich Smith gained valuable experience in office management and customer service at a family-owned bottled water distribution company, where she sourced and branded water for local businesses and households. Earlier in her career, she spent two years in title insurance and contributed as a brand guide at Victoria’s Secret while pursuing her academic studies.
Aside from that first job, Ms. Poppovich Smith’s professional journey was preceded by her education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in human ecology with a focus on merchandising and marketing from The Ohio State University in 2006. Committed to continuous improvement, Ms. Poppovich Smith obtained certification as a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt in 2023 and a Green Belt in 2025. These credentials have enabled her to implement process efficiencies and foster a culture of operational excellence.
To remain aware of developments affecting her field, Ms. Poppovich Smith has maintained her professional affiliation with a number of pertinent organizations. She is an active member of the Institute of Real Estate Management and the Association for Cleaning & Facility Solutions (ISSA, aka the International Sanitary Supply Association). She has previously participated in the International Facility Management Association and Chief, a private network dedicated to helping women into positions of power.
Ms. Poppovich Smith’s accomplishments have been recognized through numerous accolades. At City Wide Facility Solutions, she is a 20-time entrant into the Achievers Club, was invited into the Chairman’s Club in 2018, and was named City Wide Representative of the Year in 2018. In 2024, Ms. Poppovich Smith received the Q2 Community Impact Award from Obie’s Breakfast Club. In 2025, she was featured as one of the Women of Franchising by Franchise Journal.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms. Poppovich Smith has dedicated nearly two decades to coaching an all-star competitive traveling cheerleading team. She has also served on executive and general boards for the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and supports organizations such as the OhioHealth Foundation, the Gladden Community House and the Veterans Care Network.
In the coming years, Ms. Poppovich Smith aspires to build up City Wide Facility Solutions’ Columbus branch as an enduring operation capable of thriving regardless of personnel changes. She is also dedicated to supporting community initiatives and mentoring emerging leaders within her youthful team so they may achieve their full potential. On a personal note, Ms. Poppovich Smith hopes to visit Italy. She encourages those entering the industry to remain lifelong learners, to cultivate adaptability and to broaden their understanding of business dynamics.