Susie Smith
San Francisco
Summary
Dynamic leader with two decades of executive-level experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, focused on economic security and resiliency. Proven track record in strategic planning and program evaluation, grant management, cultivating talented teams, and advocating for impactful policies. Skilled in fostering community partnerships and enhancing organizational effectiveness, while demonstrating strong analytical and communication abilities.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director, Policy, Planning, Public Affairs
San Francisco Human Services Agency
11.2015 - Current
- Oversee $1 billion public social service agency’s strategic planning, program evaluation, performance measurement, legislative affairs, communications, and community food programming
- Manage a team of high performing program directors
- Set strategic direction in a complex political, bureaucratic, and policy environment
- Oversee $14M annually in community-based partnerships and advise on strategy and evaluation for the Agency's entire community-directed grantmaking ($148M in annually)
- Develop and advocate for state and local policies that improve economic health and well-being in California communities
- Represent the Agency in the community and legislatively at the local, state and federal levels
Project Manager
Controller's Office, City of San Francisco
10.2013 - 11.2015
- Developed and managed projects to improve the effectiveness of public services and business processes
- Oversaw multiple, high priority projects in the areas of: policy analysis, complex business process analysis, program evaluation, data analysis, and change management
- Allocated resources and managed a team of analysts in day-to-day project and program work
- Managed a multi-departmental fiscal and compliance policies monitoring program for City-funded nonprofits
Managing Director
Insight Center for Community Economic Development
11.2008 - 09.2013
- Managed development, implementation and evaluation of policies, programs, and new initiatives to help California communities access public supports and build economic security
- Developed work plans, directed activities and evaluated performance of Project Directors, while regularly reporting progress to the Executive Director and Board of Directors ·
- Represented Insight Center on human services and economic security policies at the state and local level
- Successfully fundraised and managed over $6M annually in grants to sustain projects
- Managed multiple deadlines, projects, work plans, budgets, contracts, and cross-team collaborations
Director, Californians for Economic Security
Insight Center for Community Economic Development
04.2005 - 10.2008
- Directed statewide policy coalition to promote improved poverty measures in policy and programming
- Led a 3-year statewide campaign to win passage of a first-in-the-nation bill to better plan for the needs of California’s older adult population
- Managed organizational unit staff, including work plan development and performance evaluation
- Convened and cultivated relationships with legislators, public agencies, low-income constituencies, the press, foundations, and nonprofit human services partners
- Developed and monitored project budget and project grants
Refugee IDA Program Director
Lao Family Community Development
08.2002 - 04.2005
- Launched and directed day-to-day operations of a federally-funded, matched savings program for refugees
- Established program procedures and policies, data tracking, and evaluation metrics and processes
- Directed the activities and evaluated performance of program staff
- Developed project partners and documented programmatic best practices for replication
Human Services Case Manager
Urban Justice Center
09.1997 - 05.1999
- Represented low-income families at administrative law hearings to contest public assistance case closings
- Negotiated with public agencies to correct errors in family benefit allowances
- Raised private grants to help families avoid evictions
Education
Masters - Public Administration
Princeton School of Public & International Affairs
Princeton06-2002
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY05-1995
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Program evaluation
- Legislative affairs
- Grant management
- Organizational effectiveness
- Analytical skills
- Policy and program design
- Project management
Timeline
Deputy Director, Policy, Planning, Public Affairs
San Francisco Human Services Agency
11.2015 - Current
Project Manager
Controller's Office, City of San Francisco
10.2013 - 11.2015
Managing Director
Insight Center for Community Economic Development
11.2008 - 09.2013
Director, Californians for Economic Security
Insight Center for Community Economic Development
04.2005 - 10.2008
Refugee IDA Program Director
Lao Family Community Development
08.2002 - 04.2005
Human Services Case Manager
Urban Justice Center
09.1997 - 05.1999
Masters - Public Administration
Princeton School of Public & International Affairs
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Vassar College
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