Katie Smith, Federal Lobbyist, AFSCME
WeLead Class of 2007-08

Katie Smith is a Federal Lobbyist for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). She manages congressional legislative developments and initiatives covering Social Security & retirement security, civil & human rights, voting rights, judicial nominations, the Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime and minimum wage), gender equity issues (paid family & sick leave and fair pay), job training, employment services, workforce development and the 2020 census.  She leverages her knowledge in these areas to provide AFSCME’s 1.6 million members with a weekly video round up on stories from Capitol Hill.  She is also AFSCME’s liaison with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and coalition groups advancing the interests of public service employees and working families.
Before starting at AFSCME, Smith was the Deputy Scheduler in the Office of Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).  Before that, she served as a Legislative Aide for Senator Michael F. Bennet (D-CO).  Smith began her career on Capitol Hill as an intern on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee under the chairmanship of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA).  
Smith is also a Commissioner with the Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW), having been appointed by County Executive Ike Leggett in 2012. As an advisory board and a department of the Montgomery County Government, the CFW focuses on critical women’s issues in the County, including pay equity, health, and employment. Smith also served on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women for two years representing the CFW. 
Smith holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University.  She also participated in the Smith Senior Executives in State and Local Government education program at the Harvard Kennedy School, and is currently working on an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Eastern Gateway Community College.

Katie spoke on the September 2019 All-Star Alumni panel.