Liz Sears Smith

External Relations Advisor

Liz is an accomplished senior management executive and a seasoned strategic advisor who, for more than 30 years, has bridged the public, private and non-profit sectors and successfully managed complex organizations and issues in rapidly changing policy, legislative and regulatory environments. Liz works at the intersection of operations and public policy and helps organizations build a strong reputation that enhances their bottom line by building bridges with industry organizations, media entities, government, and philanthropies.

Liz has served at the highest levels of government, advising Presidents, Members of Congress and other senior elected and appointed officials. As Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Cabinet Secretary, Liz managed the day-to-day policy development and problem solving between the Cabinet and senior White House staff. As Chief of Staff for a former Congressman, Liz built the operation from scratch and ran the day-to-day, working closely with constituencies, both public and private. Liz also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she was responsible for managing a division of The U.S. Commercial Service, with 350 employees in 48 states and a $35 million annual budget.

Liz serves on the board of Renew America Together and is a member of NorthwesternUniversity’s Council of 100.She serves on the Leadership Council for the Impact Center, a leadership and mentoring non-profit. Liz is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and received her MBA from the JLKellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time outdoors.