1. COLLEEN SMITH
Chicago, IL 60613 ⏐ Colleenpsmith91@gmail.com ⏐ 309.643.0298
Public Policy — Advocacy — Government Affairs
Motivated and skilled professional with experience in policy development, legislative affairs, and community
organizing. Committed to understanding and solving public problems through policy frameworks.
• Experienced with an expansive toolbox of strategies to move targets and messages to voters, including
paid and earned media, field organizing, and political partnerships
• Strong communication skills with a proven ability to produce thorough policy analysis
• Demonstrated ability in securing coalitions and engaging private and public actors to achieve goals
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
STRICKILN & ASSOCIATES, Chicago, IL February 2017-Present
Government Affairs Associate
• Advocated on issues of importance to clients and informed state lawmakers and agency officials about
potential impact to clients of legislation, rules, or programmatic changes
• Communicated regularly with elected officials, legislative staff, agency liaisons, and key advocacy and
political organizations
• Managed all lobbying reporting requirements, daily office operations and monthly client invoices
• Participated in various committee hearings, press conferences, agency meetings and fundraisers that are
of significance to clients
OFFICE OF REPRESENTATIVE ANN WILLIAMS, Chicago, IL January 2015-February 2017
Chief of Staff for State RepresentativeAnn M. Williams
• Responsible for all day-to-day operations of district office including communications, scheduling,
budgeting, and recruiting and supervising additional staff, interns, and volunteers
• Cultivated key relationships with targeted constituencies through community outreach to foster support
• Advanced legislative agenda through public policy analysis and stakeholder collaboration, and developed
strategic positions for the Representative
• Established close relationships with elected officials, agency staff, and organizations, in order to ensure
coordination on community and legislative issues
QUINN FOR ILLINOIS, Chicago, IL August 2014-November 2014
Women’s Outreach Coordinator
• Garnered strategic partnerships and endorsements from women’s advocacy organizations and leaders
• Executed large-scale press conferences and rallies to build support from voters
• Supported the activities of the Political Director in advancing allied support from constituency groups
• Collaborated with legislators to develop and implement rapid response communications
SIERRA CLUB, Chicago, IL July 2013- July 2014
Clean Water Organizer, Illinois Chapter
• Promoted, advocated and drafted policies protecting Illinois waterways and the Great Lakes region
• Engaged legislative and executiveoffices to expand the funding and scope of the Clean Water Initiative
• Collaborated with stakeholders to successfully pass Cook County’s Watershed Management Ordinance

2. • Strengthened volunteers by providing technical expertise, lobbying training, and leadership development
EDUCATION
University of Colorado, Boulder September 2009-August 2012
Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies, summa cum laude
Minor: Political Science
Vermont Law School January 2016- July 2017
Masters in Environmental Law and Policy
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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ORGANIZATIONS
Chair of Personal PAC Future Voices Council March 2015-Present
Illinois Environmental Council’s Young Professionals Board August 2015-Present
Environmental Law and Policy Center’s Next Generation Board June 2016- Present
Rodham Consulting Advisor December 2016- Present
47th
Ward Democratic Organization November 2015- Present
Political Director- Ann Williams for 11th District Representative August 2015- November 2016
SKILLS
Proficiency in Microsoft Office- Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Experienced in Adobe InDesign and comparable graphic design programs
Robust typing abilities at 95 words per minute
Extensive knowledge of Votebuilder